Fulton County prosecutor Kellie S. Hill told jurors in opening statements that former Atlanta police officer Arthur Tesler knew his senior colleagues lied to get a no-knock warrant, planted drugs and made false statements to federal agents looking into the Nov. 21, 2006, shooting death of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston.

Johnston was killed in a hail of 39 police gunshots after plainclothes narcotics officers burst into her home using a no-knock warrant. Johnston fired only once through her door and didn't hit any of the officers, prosecutors said.

Tesler is being tried in Fulton County Superior Court on charges of violation of oath by a public officer, making false statements and false imprisonment under color of legal process.

Former officers Jason R. Smith and Gregg Junnier pleaded guilty to state manslaughter and federal civil rights charges in the case and are expected to testify against Tesler.

Tesler's lawyer, William McKenney, has said his client was in the backyard when the shooting took place and was not involved in the cover-up. McKenney told jurors Monday that his client was a rookie used by his superiors to cover their deadly lies.

``Arthur Tesler was manipulated, controlled and exploited by two senior officers,'' McKenney said.

Hill began her statements by showing a photograph of a smiling Johnston while the recorded sound of 39 gunshots were played in the courtroom. Tesler did not show any emotion while the tape was played.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)