Former broadcaster Vince Marinello heard the second-degree murder case against him laid out in court Tuesday afternoon, listening as Jefferson Parish Prosecutor Tommy Block described him as an "egomaniac" who didn’t even bother to call to check on his estranged wife or stepdaughter following the shooting in August 2006.

Block told jurors that Marinello, who is accused of donning a disguise and gunning down his wife Liz Marinello as she left an appointment in Metairie, was a bigamist and that Liz Marinello’s divorce attorney had filed paperwork to annul the marriage on those grounds on the very day of the shooting.

Block described Liz Marinello as a loving woman who cared deeply for her adopted daughter.

Block outlined the prosecution's case, detailing witnesses who told investigators Marinello bought rare ammunition like that retrieved from Liz Marinello's head, had a gun tested to make sure it worked, bought a mustache for a disguise, and arrived hours late for a football game he was supposed to be watching with friends in Mississippi.

He said the rare type of bullet and Marinello’s celebrity status helped provided necessary clues to prove he was the gunman.

Block said that a local gun store owner would testify that he sold the bullets to Marinello. He said that Marinello’s former hairstylist would testify that he sold Vince a fake moustache.

Defense attorney Paul Fleming began his opening statement saying that he was honored to represent Marinello and that the evidence would fail to meet the burden of proof that he shot his wife to death.

“I think it’s important what you hear,” he said. “But more important, what you won’t hear.”

Fleming said the alleged disguise was merely a hair piece and that it was no secret that the broadcaster had worn hair pieces since the 70s.

"Isn't it natural that a man who has a hairpiece would have an interest in hair products?"

Following opening statements, the prosecution called three witnesses, including Mary Elizabeth Marinello's ex-husband, who said Vince Marinello had threatened him.

Peter Caruso said Marinello became profane and threatened violence when discussing a child custody arrangement between Caruso and his ex-wife.

"He said he was going to come over and show me what it means to be a man," Caruso said.

The trial is expected to last at least a week.

Marinello, 71, faces life in prison if convicted.

"While everyone wants justice for Mary Elizabeth," Fleming said, "sending an innocent man to prison is not justice."

He also attacked the idea that Marinello would buy items locally to use in the killing when he was so well known.

“Do you think if he was going to kill his wife he would buy ammunition in an area where he was well-known?” he asked.

Fleming pledged to introduce jurors to other potential suspects who were never investigated and who were near the murder scene at the time of the killing.

(Additional material from Associated Press was also used in this story.)