The trial over lawsuits filed by two people wrongly convicted in the 1985 killing of a Beatrice woman is under way in Gage County District Court.

Ada Taylor and James Dean sued the state for $500,000 each, saying they were wrongfully convicted in the rape and murder of Helen Wilson in 1985. Four others were also convicted.

The so-called Beatrice Six were pardoned in 2009 after DNA evidence exonerated them.

The trial over the lawsuits began Monday and is expected to last about a week.

Attorneys for Taylor and Dean say they falsely confessed to the killing.

Attorneys for the state say the law excludes those who are convicted, or help convict others, through perjury.

At issue is whether the false testimony bars them from receiving compensation.