Defense attorney admits client killed deputies

"I will break out soon and I will kill more, kill whoever gets in front of me ... I love you, Janelle".

Bracamontes, who is in the country illegally, spent most of the trial's opening day with a smile on his face, at times breaking out into fits of giggles as prosecutors described the gunfire exchange on October 24, 2014.

"We believe Mr. Bracamontes' outbursts, his laughter, are a function of his mental illness", Barbour would say.

The prosecutor tried to continue, but when he described how Bracamontes had allegedly wounded another man on his rampage three years ago, the accused cut in: "cause he's stupid!"

Bracamontes defense attorneys used his rant in court as a talking point, saying he is mentally unfit and cannot stand on trial.

The case is being held with two juries, one for the death penalty case involving Bracamontes, the other for his wife, Janelle Monroy, who faces up to life in prison.

Barbour and Dawson then renewed their efforts, asking the judge if they could enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. "I'm going to kill one of you (expletive)", Bracamontes told jurors as the jury was escorted out of the courtroom. Only jurors hearing Bracamontes' case were in court at the time of his outburst.

In addition to killing the two deputies, Bracamontes is accused of injuring a third deputy and shooting a motorist in the head. Instead, Bracamontes crawled out of the house and surrendered meekly.

Bracamontes was heavily shackled in court, while Monroy, who has mostly remained quiet, was wearing a gray and black dress without shackles or chains.

Bracamontes' brother, Hector, took the stand on Wednesday.

After the juries returned to the courtroom, the judge reminded them that they were not to consider Bracamontes' outbursts when they finally deliberate the case.

White has previously kept cameras out of the courtroom, but has agreed to allow access during the start of the trial, closing arguments, the reading of the verdicts and any sentencing. Her attorney, Pete Kmeto, is expected to argue that Monroy was, in essence, Bracamontes' first victim.

By the time court broke for a morning recess at 10:30, White said deputies had told him that Bracamontes had agreed to behave, and the judge said he would allow him to return. Norgaard comes from the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, while Tellman comes from the Placer County office.