02-15-05 – Wearing a blue jacket and slacks, Andre Thomas sat quietly as testimony began in his trial. Thomas is being tried on one count of capital murder in the deaths of his estranged wife’s 13-month-old daughter.

Prosecutors painted Thomas as a murderous, drug user in opening arguments while the defense says he was not mentally healthy at the time.

As testimony began, several law enforcement officials detailed the crime scene as one of the worst they had ever seen, while the 12 jurors sat visibly shaken. The courtroom sat silent except for the sobs of Laura Thomas’s family members when video from the scene was shown.

The 911 tape, featuring the voice of Laura’s father Paul Boren when he discovered the bodies, was also heard.

Sherman Police say Thomas told investigators God asked him to kill Laura and the two small children. Thomas also said he believed his wife was Jezebel and his son was the Antichrist.

Thomas has entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.