Trial Begins for Man Accused of Murdering 'Shoe Lady'

Opening statements are expected next week in the trial of a man charged with the murder of Menifee resident Darlene Flynn in July 2013, according to a spokesman for the District Attorney's office.

Justin Charles Smith (left), the ex-boyfriend of Flynn, is charged with murder and a sentence-enhancing charge of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. The 32-year-old is accused of beating the 58-year-old Flynn with a baseball bat and dumping her body in her backyard swimming pool.

Flynn gained national fame with her world-record collection of 15,000 shoes and shoe-related items, and Smith was seen on a television special featuring Flynn.

Smith is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta. John Hall of the DA's office said the case has been assigned to a trial court in Riverside. Pretrial motions and jury selection is taking place this week, he said.

Smith was arrested after he was seen running from the house when police arrived at Flynn's home in the 28000 block of Stone Lane on July 22, 2013.

Friends and family members said Flynn (right) and Smith had been in a turbulent relationship for five years. In September 2012, Smith was convicted of grand theft. He was charged with stealing Flynn's 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass by forging her name to DMV transfer documents. After serving 13 days in jail, Smith was released on 36 months' summary probation under the terms that he have no negative contact with Flynn.