February 6, 1980, John Wayne Gacys murder trial began in the Cook County Criminal Courts Building in Chicago, Illinois. Jury members, who consisted of five women and seven men, listened as prosecutor Bob Egan talked about Robert Piests life and his gruesome death and how Gacy was responsible for his murder thirty-two other young men. Egan told them about the investigation into Gacy, the discovery of bodies beneath his house and how Gacys actions were premeditated and rational. In Sullivan and Maikens book, Killer Clown: The John Wayne Gacy Murders, it is said that Egans statement," left a stunning impression on the jurors and the courtroom spectators, who were learning some of the details of Gacys killing for the first time." Egans opening statement was followed by onethe prosecution brought its first witness to the stand, Marko Butkovich, the father of Gacys victim John Butkovich. He was the first witness of many that included the family and friends of the murdered victims. Some of the witnesses broke down in tears on the bench, while others sadly recounted their last goodbyes to their loved ones.

Following the friends and family of the victims came the testimony of those who worked for Gacy who survived sexual and usually violent encounters with their boss. Some of his ex-employees told of his mood swings and how he would trick them into being handcuffed. Others told of how he constantly made passes at them while at work. The testimony continued for the next several weeks, including that of friends and neighbors