MOULTRIE — The trial of a Moultrie man accused in the killing of a 21-year-old man in December 2007 is scheduled to begin Tuesday.

Curtis Anthony Aldridge, 46, is accused of firing a shot that killed Jakira Strong at a grocery store in Northwest Moultrie. Strong is the nephew of Colquitt County Commissioner Luke Strong Jr.

The trial is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

Aldridge was indicted in December 2008 on charges of involuntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and pointing a gun or pistol at another.

He originally was charged in January 2008 with murder.

On the night Strong was shot, Aldridge took the injured man to Colquitt Regional Medical Center, where he later died. Aldridge told police that he found Strong lying on the ground near Aldridge Grocery, 400 Third Ave. N.W.

Police said that an attempt was made to clean the scene with bleach. They believe that Strong and Aldridge met outside the store, and that Aldridge was playing with a gun when Strong told him to stop and began walking away.

Strong was struck by a single bullet to the back of the head.

Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot but told police they did not see what happened.

Aldridge has prior convictions in Colquitt County on charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in 1994, aggravated assault in 1988, forgery in 1986 and criminal damage in 1980, according to Georgia Department of Corrections. He was placed back in the state prison system in January 2008.