The trial of former track and field coach Craig Carter, on charges of stalking and disrupting a educational institution, began Wednesday in downtown Tucson at Pima County Superior Court. 

Carter, charged with assaulting a former student-athlete he was having an affair with, was scheduled to face trial nearly three years ago, before a series of set-backs and delays.

The charges stem from multiple alleged incidents involving Carter and his accuser, some of which took place on campus. Carter was arrested in May 2015 by University of Arizona Police Department officers.

While in detention, Carter revealed to police that he had a violent interaction with his accuser at McKale Center the night of April 27, 2015.  “I think I said, ‘I’ll cut your face up so nobody will ever want you again, because I’m not going to have anything, and neither are you,’” Carter told police.

During that same interaction, Carter’s accuser alleged he choked her and threatened to stab her with a box cutter.

Originally, Carter was set to face trial in June 2016. After multiple appeals, the date was moved to August 2017. 

However, after ESPN aired a documentary in May 2017 focusing on the case,  Judge Teresa Godoy, presiding judge at the time, delayed the trail again after Carter’s attorney’s successfully argued in favor of subpoenaing ESPN for it’s reporting notes. 

Additionally, Carter’s attorney’s were able to have the charges of stalking and assault severed. As a result, Carter will face another, later criminal trial relating to the stalking charges.

On Wednesday, attorneys for both sides presented opening arguments, and the prosecution lead off witness testimony by calling Carter’s accuser to the stand.

This story is developing and will be updated as new information is made available. Follow The Daily Wildcat here and on Twitter and Facebook for updates.

Follow Eddie Celaya on Twitter