Police testify in ex-cop's retrial

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- A former Columbia police officer being retried in a college student's throat-slashing death talked to investigators days after the killing.

Police testimony Thursday focused on a three-hour interview between Steven Rios and detectives investigating the June 2004 death of 23-year-old Jesse Valencia, a male student with whom Rios had an affair.

Detective John Short and Capt. Stephen Monticelli testified that Rios eventually admitted to having sexual encounters with Valencia -- including three times in which Rios was in uniform.

Detective Jeff Westbrook testified that he talked to a suicidal Rios less than a week after the slaying and that Rios denied killing Valencia.

The 31-year-old Rios is charged with first-degree murder in the University of Missouri student's death.

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Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com