Prosecutor: Boiled water attack on gay men was pre-meditated

Martin Blackwell looks on during his trial in Atlanta, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. Blackwell is accused of pouring boiling water on his girlfriend's gay son and his friend as they slept. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (The Associated Press)

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Marquez Tolbert cries as he describes the pain as he testifies in the trial of Martin Blackwell who is accused of pouring boiling water on him and a friend as they slept in Atlanta, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (The Associated Press)

Still baring burn scars Anthony Gooden listens to testimony Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016 in Atlanta in the trial for Martin Blackwell who is accused of pouring boiling water water on him and a gay friend as they slept. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (The Associated Press)

ATLANTA – A prosecutor told a jury that a Georgia man threw boiled water on a gay couple as they lay in bed in a vicious, pre-meditated attack.

Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Franklin Engram made the assertion during his opening statement Tuesday in the trial of Martin Blackwell, who faces charges including aggravated battery and aggravated assault.

The 48-year-old Blackwell was a long-distance trucker and stayed with his girlfriend, Kim Foster, when he was in town.

Prosecutors say Foster's son, Anthony Gooden, and his boyfriend, Marquez Tolbert, were sleeping in bed at the apartment in College Park when Blackwell poured boiled water on them in February. Both men suffered extensive burns and required multiple surgeries.

Blackwell's defense attorneys chose to delay their opening statement until the prosecution rests.