The trial of a man charged in a Page County cockfighting case began Thursday.

Charles Leo Kingrea is on trial on four counts involving cockfighting. One of the counts was dismissed by the judge.

So he is now charged with conspiracy to engage in cockfighting, conspiracy to sell a gaff or knife for cockfighting, and aiding gambling in cockfighting.

These charges stem from a raid was conducted at the Little Boxwood cockfighting site in May 2007. Four men were indicted in September, including Kingrea.

The U.S. Attorney says Kingrea had a stand at Little Boxwood selling gaffs and knives, which are items attached to the feet of roosters so they can cut each other.

The U.S. Attorney says Kingrea's role in the conspiracy was to provide the tools of the trade.

The defense says Kingrea did have the concession stand, but he was an independent contractor and not in a conspiracy.

The defense attorney argued that Kingrea was a small fish in a big net.

The prosecution presented four witnesses Thursday, and Kingrea will take the stand in his defense Friday.

The trial will resume at 8:30 a.m. Friday and is expected to be completed sometime during the day.