Trial To Begin For Man In Same-Sex Parental Kidnap Case

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Federal authorities will being making their case against a Virginia businessman accused of interfering in a same-sex couple's child custody fight.

Opening statements are expected in U.S. District Court in Buffalo Wednesday in the trial of Philip Zodhiates (zo-dee-YA'-taze), who prosecutors say helped a woman and her daughter flee the country in 2009 when it was clear the woman was losing a custody battle to her former partner.

Zodhiates has pleaded not guilty to international parental kidnapping and other charges.

Jury selection got underway Tuesday.

Prosecutors say that after Lisa Miller renounced her homosexuality, Zodhiates drove her and her then 7-year-old daughter from Virginia to the Rainbow Bridge in New York where they crossed into Canada on their way to Nicaragua.

A Vermont family court had given Miller's former partner, Janet Jenkins, visitation with their daughter.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]