Trial starts for South African accused in slaying

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- The trial of a South African man accused of shooting a bride to death in a honeymoon slaying has begun.

Xolile Mngeni pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two charges over the November 2010 death of Swedish woman Anni Dewani. Prosecutors say Mngeni was hired by Dewani's British husband to carry out the killing and faces charges including murder, robbery, kidnapping and illegal gun possession.

Mgneni, who had surgery for a brain tumor, told a judge he was ready to stand trial.

Last week, Mngeni's alleged accomplice Mziwamadoda Qwabe pleaded guilty to charges over the killing, receiving a 25-year prison sentence. Zola Tongo, the taxi driver that police say husband Shrien Dewani asked to plot the killing, earlier pleaded guilty to charges over the slaying and received an 18-year prison sentence.

Dewani has denied he hired anyone to kill his wife.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)