The trial for former Penn State student Anthony Torsell, charged with vehicular homicide in connection with an October 2006 accident, began today.

In the early morning of Oct. 28, 2006, Torsell struck Penn State student Aaron Stidd and visitor Richard Smith with his Buick Skylark.

Smith was pronounced dead because of blunt force trauma to the head, according to the coroner's report. Stidd was critically injured and is currently being treated at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Altoona.

Stidd arrived at the trial around 10:30 a.m., however Judge Thomas Kistler ruled he must sit in the back of the courtroom.

Stidd's father, Jay, said his son should not be treated like a "second-class citizen."

The ruling on Aaron Stidd's appearance came this morning after Kistler asked the jury if any of them would be uncomfortable with his presence.

Last week, defense attorney Joseph Amendola considered barring Aaron Stidd from the courtroom, claiming his appearance could distract the jury from giving Torsell a "fair and impartial" trial.

Centre County Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloane said Torsell's intoxication was the main cause of the accident.

Daniel Maize and Seth Whitehill, Torsell's roommates, testified that they saw him begin drinking that evening at around 5:30.

Defense attorney Joseph Amendola said he is not disputing that Torsell was driving under the influence, that Richard Smith died or that Aaron Stidd was seriously injured in the accident.

What he is disputing, he said, is that Torsell caused the accident.

Check The Daily Collegian Online for more updates from the trial.