JAY STREET — Trial has begun for the teenager accused of stabbing and killing a man in Crown Heights because he allegedly thought he was gay and flirting with him.

Opening statements were made yesterday before Justice Neil Jon Firetog at the Kings County Supreme Court in Downtown Brooklyn.

Omar Willock, of Crown Heights, is charged with second-degree murder as a hate crime in relation to the stabbing death of 20-year-old Robert Duncanson. He was indicted in June 2007.

According to prosecutors, Willock and Duncanson were passing each other on St. Marks Avenue in Crown Heights when Willock became angry and accused Duncanson of flirting with him. Duncanson apparently walked away and went to a friend’s house in the neighborhood.

When Duncanson returned to the area later, just after 12:30 a.m. on May 12, Willock, who was still there, allegedly began hurling anti-gay slurs at him. Duncanson tried to walk away again, but Willock caught up with him and began fighting with him, prosecutors say.

Then Willock allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Duncanson four times in the back. Duncanson was taken to Kings County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead as a result of two of his stab wounds. Willock faces life in prison if convicted.

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