In Session's live in Florida

BRADENTON, Florida–Testimony is underway in the case of Florida vs. Thomas Fast, facing life in prison for allegedly murdering his stepmother, someone he had known for much of his life. Susan Fast returned home from s trip to the Bahamas on June 28, 2007, one day earlier than her husband Bruce, (the father of the defendant) only to have her life taken at the hands of a murderer.

For over three weeks, Susan Fast was a missing person but finally on July 25, 2009, two black plastic garbage bags were found in a retention pond and storm drain behind a grocery store. Those bags contained the cut up remains of Susan Fast.

Prosecutors say the defendant’s belief that his stepmother would stop him from receiving any inheritance played a role in the commission of this murder.

Late Tuesday afternoon, a jury panel of four men and 10 women was selected to hear the evidence in this capital murder trial.

During jury selection, the defense emphasized second-degree murder and manslaughter as alternate charges in this case. Jurors were also told there may be testimony concerning mental illness. The defense emphasized that in a criminal court, you can only convict the defendant if you believe he is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Stay tuned for live, gavel to gavel coverage of this case on In Session.

–Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent