VISTA — The trial for an Escondido man accused of robbing more than a dozen day laborers began Aug 13.

Thomas Graham, 33, is charged with 15 counts of robbery and a single count each of attempted kidnapping, kidnapping and attempted robbery stemming from a string of holdups last summer.

Deputy District Attorney Bryn Kirvin told jurors in her opening statement that Graham posed as an employer to pick up day laborers from sites in Encinitas, San Marcos, Rancho Bernardo and Vista. Once in his vehicle, Graham would take victims to remote areas and rob them at knifepoint of their money and belongings, she said.

Graham was arrested Aug. 14, 2007, along with Nicole Dianne Couch, his girlfriend at the time. Couch and a third defendant, Kevin Anderson, have pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery. Both received prison time for their roles in the robberies. The case against a fourth suspect, April Marie Lewis, is ongoing.

In his opening statement, defense attorney Herb Weston said the prosecution’s case was plagued by identity issues and witness testimony molded to keep the District Attorney happy.

Weston questioned the motives of the day laborers, telling the jury he believed some of the victims may be influenced to identify his client because they perceive it could help them stay in the country.

The 14 victims, some of whom are in the country illegally, are expected to testify at the trial.

Graham remains in custody on $1 million bail.