HONOLULU, Updated 7:38 p.m. HST November 22, 2000 -- The trial began in federal court Wednesday for three young men accused of killing an army soldier who was vacationing in Waianae in 1998.

Bryson Jose, Keala Leong and Roberto Miguel are charged with shooting Chief Warrant Officer John Latchum during a burglary attempt at the Waianae Army Recreation Center.

Latchum's widow testified to a jury that she saw a group of six to eight teenagers who were trying to break into the cabin at the recreation center where her family was staying. Prosecutors say the three defendants were among the group.

Wendy Latchum testified that as she watched television and her husband slept, she heard the doorknob turn and then saw the teens gathered around the door.

Latchum said she yelled and the teenagers ran. They then stopped, Latchum testified.

"That's when I got scared. I couldn't imagine why they were stopping," Latchum said. "I heard a pop and I didn't know what it was. I thought they were throwing firecrackers at us. I saw my husband stumble beside me."

Latchum died in minutes because the bullet pierced his heart.

Prosecutors claimed Jose and Miguel planned the robbery and were "emboldened by the gun." Defense attorneys are expected to argue that the killing was an accident.

But it may not matter because under federal law, prosecutors only have to prove is that the defendants meant to commit burglary or robbery and that they knew someone could get killed during the crime.

The trial will continue next week.