COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) -- The trial of a man charged in the 1992 killing of Muscogee County's schools superintendent has begun, with the defense attorney criticizing the police department's handling of evidence in the case.

Attorney Stacey S. Jackson told jurors Tuesday that investigators failed to preserve forensic evidence on the knife used in the attack that killed Dr. James A. Burns in the doorway of his Columbus home.

The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports (http://bit.ly/OVcLpy ) Jackson also said authorities never tested two hairs found inside Burns' home.

Kareem Lane faces one count of murder in connection with the killing. Police say they arrested Lane after DNA evidence linked him to the attack.

Lane, a former Marine living in Pell City, Ala., has denied any involvement in the attack.

AP-WF-09-04-12 1909GMT