NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lawyers for New York Police Officer Gilberto Valle rested their case on Tuesday after one day in a trial that featured graphic testimony about fantasies of raping, murdering, cooking and eating women.

Dubbed the "cannibal cop" by local media, Valle has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to kidnap. If convicted, he faces 20 years to life in prison.

Since the trial's start last week, jurors have heard excerpts read aloud from dozens of Web chats and emails in which Valle talked with others about murdering and eating women. Those women included his estranged wife, Kathleen Mangan-Valle.

The prosecution rested its case on Monday. Closing arguments were scheduled for Thursday.

(Reporting by Paul Thomasch; Editing by Daniel Trotta)