Opening statements were held Thursday in a Niagara County murder case almost 27 years old.

Both the prosecution and defense in the Joseph Belstadt murder trial presented two very different sides of what happened to Mandy Steingasser more than 26 years ago.

“By this indictment, accuse the defendant Joseph H. Belstadt of the crime of murder in the second degree. There is no other person responsible. There is no other explanation. There is no other reasonable conclusion to be drawn from these facts," said John Granchelli, Niagara County assistant district attorney.

In their opening statement, prosecutors told the jury that in September 1993, almost 27 years ago, then 18-year-old Joseph Belstadt murdered then-17-year-old Mandy Steingasser.

Prosecutors say Steingasser got into Belstadt's car in the early morning hours, after she had been out at a party.

They say he flew into a rage after she refused his sexual advances, strangled her, and dumped her body at Bond Lake Park in Sanborn, where it was discovered about a month later.

They say autopsy reports show her skull was fractured as well.

Prosecutors told jurors witness testimony will also show Belstadt lied to police on several occasions, and had others lie for him as well.

They also credit newly tested DNA evidence, including hair and fiber taken from his car, for connecting Belstadt to the crime.

"That evidence, combined with all the testimony and evidence you'll see in this courtroom, will prove that this defendant, Joseph Belstadt, is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," said Mary-Jean Bowman, Niagara County second assistant district attorney.

"Shake it out of your head. Because it’s not evidence of anything," said Michele Bergevin, defense attorney.

Defense attorneys painted a different picture of what happened the night Steingasser went missing.

They say Steingasser did get into Belstadt's car that night, but that's where the similarities end.

The defense told jurors there's no evidence, DNA, or otherwise that Belstadt made any sexual advances toward Steingasser, and that a lot of the samples tested excluded him.

They say soon after he picked her up, he dropped her off outside a local church in North Tonawanda and says that was the last he saw of her.

The defense also said Belstadt was eventually cooperative with police, though he initially lied about where he was that night in question.

Belstadt's attorney says the government is relying on some witness testimony from 26 years ago, and will not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt when, how, or where Steingasser died.

"Most importantly, the government, after you hear all of the evidence, will not be able to prove to you beyond a reasonable doubt who, if anyone, intentionally took the life of Mandy Steingasser," said Bergevin.

Testimony in the case is scheduled to begin Friday morning, as the trial is expected to last about six weeks.