We are back to crime and punishment. Steven Walker, if you can dimly recall the beginning of August, was the former Pitt player charged with murder in Canton, Ohio of a 17-year old.

His trial is underway. No one is innocent.

His trial began Monday in Stark County Common Pleas Court. Testimony is expected to conclude today.

The first day featured conflicting statements by three of the prosecution’s eyewitnesses. But their testimony was consistent that Walker shot Cheek.

Two of Cheek’s friends, 17-year-old Aubrey Williams and 18-year-old Julius Edwards, testified that they saw Walker shoot Cheek. And store clerk Hussin al-Muzerwi said he watched Walker pull something from near his waist and chase after Cheek. He said he then heard gunshots.

The weapon, believed to be a 9 mm pistol, was not recovered.

Defense attorney Wayne Graham said in opening statements that his client didn’t shoot Cheek.

According to the testimony, Cheek and three friends went to the store July 29 to buy white T-shirts so they could go to a bar, even though they were well below the legal drinking age of 21. Cheek and Edwards were wearing tank tops that weren’t allowed in the bar.

When they arrived at the store, there was a confrontation between Cheek and Walker, who was upset that rival gang members were there, according to testimony. Cheek punched Walker because he wouldn’t shut up, Edwards said.

The question is whether the jury will believe the witnesses, given their conflicting testimony. For example, Williams testified that he, Cheek and Edwards were gang members. But later, Edwards testified that Cheek and Williams weren’t gang members.

Williams also admitted he possessed crack cocaine at the time and said he intended to “distribute” it.

Sad story, looking for a sad ending.