MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (AP) _ A prosecutor told jurors that former Philadelphia Eagles star Irving Fryar resorted to a scheme to defraud banks when he needed money.

But his defense lawyer says Fryar himself was victimized by a “con artist” who told him to apply for multiple mortgage loans in quick succession while using the same property as collateral.

Both sides made their opening arguments Wednesday in court in Burlington County in the trial of the 52-year-old former NFL star and his mother, Allene McGhee. They’re accused of theft by deception.

A former co-defendant, William Barksdale, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge last year and is serving a 20-month prison sentence. Under his plea agreement, he’s expected to testify against the two others.

Defense lawyers say that Fryar and his mother were victims of Barksdale.