CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The trial for Rayquan Borum is underway, with both sides presenting their opening arguments in the trial Monday morning.

Previously reported prior to trial:

The day started with a preliminary hearing with Justin Carr’s mom, who took the stand for a voir dire.

She says she spoke to her youngest son just 20 minutes before he was shot and killed. The defense filed a motion to deny Justin Carr’s mom from taking the stand.

They argued she would only be used to draw sympathy from the jury, but the motion was overruled by the judge who said it's common to have victim’s family members testify, and she spoke with him in the moments leading up to his death, which made her interview valid.

The prosecution says Carr went to the protest with the intent to have his voice heard, while Borum went with the intent to kill. The prosecution also says Borum intended to kill a CMPD officer on September 21, 2016, and even told people he had plans to pull the trigger.

Meanwhile, the defense says the state and CMPD instead of looking for truth, were looking for a conviction. They say CMPD and the state rushed through the investigation process, told Borum he was the killer, and the prosecution in fact is leaving facts out.

"The defendant came that night armed, with the intent to kill, the intent to destroy and the intent to steal. He stole property; he stole the message of those who just wanted to be heard that night. And he stole Justin Carr's future,” said Glenn Cole III, with the prosecution.

Witness testimony so far has included Carr’s mom and one of his best friends.