TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Opening statements are underway in the trial of Julie Schenecker, the military wife charged with killing her two teenagers while her husband was deployed overseas.
The 53-year-old former Army linguist has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to two counts of first-degree murder.
Police say Schenecker fatally shot 16-year-old Calyx and 13-year-old Beau in January 2011.
On Monday, the defense painted a picture of a sick, troubled member of an all-American family, and prosecutors read chilling journal entries they say she wrote, detailing how she “offed” her kids.
She and Parker Schenecker have since divorced. He is expected to be a witness for the defense. He told reporters before opening statements that the focus for the coming weeks is on hearing Calyx and Beau’s voices.
