The trial of a woman who's accused of helping her friend cover up the murder of the friend's mother got under way Monday in White Plains after some jurors stepped down for personal reasons.The prosecution called the case a "Shakespearean tragedy," saying defendant Carmella Magnetti "wouldn't know the truth if she stepped over it." The prosecutor also said calling Magnetti "manipulative and deceitful is a step up."Anne Trovato was convicted last October of fatally stabbing and beating her mother, Patricia Mery, with a baseball bat at Mery's Ossining home during Mother's Day weekend 2006.Magnetti, 31, of Pleasantville, allegedly drove Trovato to the scene, helped her dispose of bloody clothing and made up the alibi for Trovato.

In his opening statement, defense attorney Ted Brundage painted a different picture of Magnetti. He said the prosecution has no use for his client and only charged her because she couldn't give them the information they needed.

Witnesses are expected to testify that Magnetti concocted a story that the victim was trying to kidnap her granddaughter from Trovato.

The trial is expected to last weeks, with numerous witnesses taking the stand. It's unclear whether Magnetti will take the stand in her own defense.