The trial has begun of a US woman and her father who are charged with the murder her Irish husband in North Carolina two years ago.
Molly Martens-Corbett, 33, and 67-year-old Thomas Martens are accused of killing 39-year-old Jason Corbett, who was originally from Co Limerick.
Both are charged with second degree murder for their role in causing the death of Mr Corbett at his home on 2 August 2015.
Both had originally faced two charges each - the second degree murder charge, and a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.
The prosecution informed the court that it was dropping the voluntary manslaughter charge and is proceeding only with the second degree murder charge.
Mr Corbett died from head injuries he sustained at his home, which police believe were caused by a baseball bat and a patio stone.
Assistant District Attorney Alan Martin told the court that Mr Corbett had sustained severe head injuries.
He said Ms Martens and her father had no marks on their bodies.
Mr Corbett had been hit in the head at least ten times and at least one blow was determined to have occurred post-mortem.
Defence lawyer David Freeman, who is representing Mr Martens, described the day leading up to Mr Corbett’s death.
He told the court that Mr Martens had suggested to his wife that they drive over to see their daughter and her family and had brought a baseball bat to give to Mr Corbett’s son as a present.
He said that by the time the boy arrived back at the house from a birthday party it was too late to give him the bat and Mr Martens and his wife, Sharon, went to bed in the basement of the house.
Mr Freedman said that at 3am, Mr Martens heard someone scream and ran upstairs, grabbing the bat on the way.
He said that Mr Martens said he saw Mr Corbett with his hands around his daughter’s neck and he told him to let her go.
Mr Freedman said Mr Martens hit Mr Corbett with the baseball bat to make him release Ms Martens and that at that point Mr Corbett "went after" Mr Martens.
The lawyer said his client feared he would lose his life and knowing his daughter was behind her husband he began "whacking" Mr Corbett with the baseball bat.
The trial continues.
