Daughter, Son Testify in Father's Murder Trial in Maine

A judge will hear testimony without a jury at the request of the lawyers for Christopher Saenz

Prosecutors say a Maine man fatally beat his wife because he thought she was having an affair. The defense contends brain injuries from a previous car accident played a role in the death.

The murder trial began Monday for Christopher Saenz, who's charged with killing 29-year-old Hilary Saenz in Ellsworth in 2013.

Testimony came from the couple's 9-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter, who talked about abuse their mother suffered before her death. They testified that their father told them she had "passed out" and sent them to a neighbor's home on Christmas Day 2013.

A judge is hearing testimony without a jury at the request of defendant.

An autopsy concluded that she died from brain bleeding, but had multiple injuries including a lacerated liver, bruised lungs and, fractured sternum.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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