MOULTON — Testimony began today in the trial in Lawrence County Circuit Court for five men arrested last year in a cockfighting raid.

On trial are Joseph Lynn Holmes, 36, Hanceville; Larry Dale McCroy, 53;, Hanceville; Zackary Clay McLeroy, 33, Cullman; James Russell Garnett, 34, Vinemont; and Grady Darrel McCroy, 54, Cullman. All face charges of cruelty to animals and gambling-cockfighting.

The defendants’ attorney, Mark Dutton of Moulton, said during his opening statement the cruelty charges do not apply because they stem from a cockfight on private property, which he said is not illegal.

The five defendants were among 31 suspects arrested after Lawrence County’s Drug Task Force broke up a cockfighting event in August 2011 in Speake.

NANCY GLASSCOCK