Trial begins for American accused of killing relatives in Czech Republic

By Staff The Associated Press

Posted May 31, 2016 4:31 am EST

1 min read

This article is more than 8 years old and some information may not be up to date.

Handcuffed defendant Kevin Dahlgren (C) charged with quadruple murder is escorted to the courtroom for his trial on May 31, 2016 in Brno, Czech Republic. The US-citizen is accused of killing four of his relatives in the Czech Republic and then trying to incinerate their bodies. Kevin Dahlgren was extradited to the Czech Republic in 2015 after fleeing to the United States following the killings of his cousin, her husband and the couple's two sons. RADEK MICA/AFP/Getty Images

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – An American man charged with murder over the killing of four of his relatives has gone on trial in the Czech Republic.

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Prosecutors say the suspect, Kevin Dahlgren, fatally stabbed his cousin, her husband and their son, and later killed another son – likely using a stone. The killings happened during a visit by Dahlgren to the Czech city of Brno in May 2013. Authorities say he apparently tried to burn three of the bodies.

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Dahlgren refused to testify Tuesday at the regional court in Brno.

Dahlgren, of Palo Alto, California, was detained at Washington Dulles International Airport as he returned from the visit. He was extradited to the Czech Republic last year.

If convicted of committing four murders, Dahlgren could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.