The case: Donald Rolle, a 47-year-old Natrona County man, is on trial for the kidnapping and murder of Jennifer Randel, a 40-year-old mother of two he once dated. Rolle has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

What's happened so far: Rolle's trial began Monday with opening statements. The prosecution played a 911 call made by Randel on Nov. 3 where she pleaded for help and said she was in Rolle's truck and couldn't get away from him. Witnesses who saw Rolle and Randel at Butch's Bar that night testified he was angry because he suspected she had slept with another man. That man told jurors he and Randel were not having an affair.

Several officers testified about the unsuccessful search for Rolle's truck that night. With the help of a rancher, they found the truck the following day on a remote dirt road that follows a canal west of Casper. Randel's body was discovered in the truck. Rolle was arrested.

The prosecution presented several witnesses who alleged Rolle physically abused women he had relationships with, including Randel. Both of Randel's sons told jurors they saw Rolle strike their mother.

A police officer read for jurors a letter written by Rolle where the defendant claimed he did not stab or kill Randel. The note was found in Rolle's truck.

The prosecution's case concluded Friday with testimony from the coroner who performed Randel's autopsy and two workers from the Wyoming State Crime Lab. Natrona County Coroner James Thorpen said Randel died when her brain swelled after she was struck multiple times in the head.

What's up next: After a week of prosecution witnesses, Rolle's attorneys will begin to lay out his defense on Monday. Once that is complete, both sides will make closing arguments and the case will go to the jury. Depending on the verdict, a sentencing phase of the trial could follow.

On the Web

Visit www.trib.com/randel for daily updates on the Donald Rolle murder trial and more information on Jennifer Randel.