Testimony Underway In Midwest City Murder Trial

An accused killer stands in his own defense in an Oklahoma County courtroom Friday. Not to testify though, but to serve as his own attorney. 

Fabion Brown, 26, is defending himself against two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Oklahoma County District Court.

Brown is accused of orchestrating the murder-for-hire plot that led to the death of his estranged wife, Jessica McPherson Brown, 23, and her unborn baby on January 11, 2012.

From the beginning, Brown has been very outspoken about the case and about the courtroom strategy he plans to use in an effort to prove his innocence. Now, with the trial underway, he's taking a different stance and saved all of his remarks for the courtroom.

Brown stood before the Oklahoma County Jury of five men and seven women to defend himself. In opening statements, Brown said, this is a very touching matter for me because this is a matter of life or death."

4/28/2014 Related Story: Fabion Brown Challenges State's Evidence Against Him

Prosecutors do not dispute that fact, they are seeking the death penalty in this case.

They warned jurors that Brown masterminded a gruesome crime, and for that reason, the evidence would be nothing short of gruesome.

A statement that proved true on Friday afternoon, when the state introduced autopsy photos of gun wounds to the dead pregnant mother's face, as well as, pictures of her unborn baby's body.

The victim's mother, Judy Richardson of Yakima, Washington, provided tearful testimony. She testified to the day she swaddled and held the body of her dead grand-baby at the funeral home. Richardson also revealed the contents of text messages she exchanged with her daughter in the months leading up to the murder. The evidence indicated Jessica McPherson Brown was scared of Brown and feared for her life.

Brown's questions to the states witnesses were few, but he told the jury when all the evidence comes out it will be crystal clear he's innocent

6/11/2014 Related Story: Murder Defendant Speaks Out About Case Before Trial

The state is expected to call more than 40 witnesses in presenting the case. Prosecutors plan to introduce wiretap evidence, as well as phone calls Brown made as an inmate at the Oklahoma County Jail, including his exclusive interview with News 9.