The key witness in the murder trial of Frankie Silvestri took the stand on Wednesday, and both sides are hoping the testimony of Silvestri's former co-defendant Daniel Pistorino will prove their case.

Frankie Silvestri is charged with the March 24th, 2004 murder of University of Florida student Premal Dagly, but Silvestri's defense attorneys say Pistorino is the one who did the killing.

Pistorino was on the stand for more than three hours Wednesday, and told jurors that Silvestri owed Dagly money for drugs, but that instead of paying him, Silvestri stabbed Dagly in an apartment complex parking lot.

"They talked for a moment, although they could not hear what they were saying, and frankie struck out at him," said Pistorino.

Defense attorneys say Pistorino has changed his testimony since his original interview with police the day after the murder, so they believe he's not a reliable witness.

He pleaded guilty to second degree murder for his involvement in Dagly's death, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in May.

By David Hamilton/WCJB TV 20 News