A trial began Monday for a man accused of killing his girlfriend and his own child. The girlfriend was only 21. The child was just a toddler.
Now the defense is making the case that the killing was all part of a jealous rage.
Testimony started Monday morning at the Monroe County Courthouse in the double murder trial of Michael Parrish.
The prosecution maintains Parrish shot and killed his girlfriend, 21-year-old Victoria Adams, and their toddler son, Sidney.
The defense agrees but said Parrish committed the crime while in a jealous rage.
Parrish was silent and stared straight ahead as he was escorted into the courthouse for the first day of testimony.
Parrish's family was not in court, but Victoria Adams' family and friends were.
Prosecutors said on the night of July 6, 2009 Parrish shot and killed his Adams and their 18-month-old son, Sidney at their home in Effort.
Prosecutors said Parrish killed them because he was angry that Adams, who had been gone for the day to celebrate her mother's birthday, wasn't returning his phone calls.
The prosecution said Parrish believed Adams was cheating on him. Prosecutors said Adams' cousin and brother dropped her off in Effort at the apartment she shared with Parrish who was inside waiting for her.
Soon after shots were fired. Parrish then started shooting at Adams' cousin and brother who fled and called 911.
That call was played for the jury and so were two others made by Parrish's neighbors who said they heard arguing that night followed by the sound of gunshots.
Jurors also heard from a state trooper who showed photographs of the crime scene. One of the photographs showed the bodies of Adams and her son, Sidney. Police said they were shot in Sidney's room as Adams held the child in her arms.
The defense said it's not a case of who done it but why.
The defense said Parrish had not planned to kill Adams and their son but went into a jealous rage and shot them.
Parrish did not show any emotion during that testimony.
The trial is expected to take all week. And may likely go into next week.
Parrish is facing two murder charges.
He could also face the death penalty if he is convicted.
