Opening Statements Begin for Fire 'Gawker'

The trial for the Millbrae man accused of leading authorities on a  in the immediate aftermath of the September 2010 pipeline explosion started this week.

Opening statements began Thursday with two police officers testifying in court.

Paul Anthony Lee, 36, of Millbrae, allegedly ran over a police officer's foot on his motorcycle at the start of a pursuit that involved San Bruno and Daly City police, sheriff's deputies and the CHP.

Authorities said Lee told police he was from San Francisco and had arrived on the scene to view the blaze but failed to comply with orders to turn off his bike and produce identification.

Testimony was expected to continue this morning.

If convicted, Lee faces a second strike on his record. He served 2 ½ years in state prison for in 2005 for attempted kidnapping and two years for possession of a controlled substance in 2009, according to court records.