Monday, January 22, 2007 7:49 Eastern Time

NEW WESTMINSTER, B-C -- The Robert Pickton murder trial opened inB-C today with grisly details, an alleged admission of guilt and thefirst witness saying police were confused at first over the missingwomen.

Prosecutor Derrill Prevett told the B-C Supreme Court jury in NewWestminster that police made a series of horrifying discoveries atPickton's farm. They included the severed heads of two women in buckets in afreezer, as well as other bones and teeth. Prevett also said Pickton admitted he'd killed 49 women andwanted to make it an even 50 before stopping.

Defence lawyer Peter Ritchie cautioned the jury not to beoverwhelmed by the statements, adding he would vigorously challengethe Crown case. He also pointed to Pickton's alleged admission of murder, askingthe jurors to pay close attention to Pickton's intellectualcompetence and level of understanding in the police recordings.

The first witness was R-C-M-P Inspector Don Adam, who saidVancouver Police who investigated the disappearances of 10 women in1999 found nine had simply relocated. He said at that point the police believed the disappearances hadstopped and without bodies or evidence, investigators had a hardtime knowing how to proceed.

Pickton showed no emotion during the Crown's opening, staringstraight ahead, but at least one person sitting among the victims'families began sobbing and had to leave the court.

The jury has been dismissed for the day.