ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Jurors in the murder trial of 38-year-old Patrick Brooks heard opening statements and testimony Wednesday.  

He faces second-degree murder charges in the stabbing deaths of his estranged wife Christie and daughter Victoria Brooks, who was home on break from college in Buffalo.

“Today we began the actual process of presenting proof," said Assistant District Attorney William Gargan.

In opening statements, prosecutor William Gargan said Christie was stabbed in her sleep, while Victoria fought back and was stabbed in the hands and face.

He said both victims were stabbed multiple times, showing intent to kill.

Gargan went onto say that investigators found what they called a 'murder bag' in a dumpster. 

In the bag, Gargan said, were a knife, bloody towel and sneakers. He also said Brooks had cuts on his hands, and that his blood was found at the scene.

Then public defender Jacquelyn Grippe gave her opening argument, saying there is no smoking gun.

She said Brooks attended that Thanksgiving dinner because he was on good terms with the family, and that an unlocked door meant anyone could have entered the house. 

She said police targeted her client because the husband is stereotypically the first suspect.

“This isn’t a Lifetime movie," Gargan said. "This is a real-life tragedy. And it’s one that is backed with evidence and proof...But my goal in the opening is to lay out the proof I anticipate they’ll hear from the witness I am going to call.”

Those witnesses included police officers who responded—one calling it the worst crime scene he'd responded to in his 10 years on the force.

The next witness was a 16-year-old sibling that found the bodies.

She said her mother and father were cordial despite the divorce proceedings, though her father expressed dismay that he didn’t get to see the children more.

The 16-year-old said her father appeared sad and upset as he left the house after Thanksgiving dinner, just hours before she found her mother and sister dead.

The prosecution says that family dynamic made it difficult to find a jury for this case.

"It is very sad to have an allegation of a parent killing a spouse and a child, especially coupled with multiple other siblings," Gargan said. "So I will admit that there were several jurors during our selection process, that were unable to remain for this case, due to the nature of it. Thankfully, this is a rare event."

Court resumes Thursday.