LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. - A bloody crime scene and more than two dozen stab wounds.

Those are the brand new details as testimony begins in the double murder trial of Juan Mendez.

He's accused of killing his estranged wife and mother-in-law.

The six person jury was seated early Friday.

It's six jurors instead of twelve because this is not a capital case.

Testimony began Friday afternoon and some of the details were so horrific it left the victims family in tears.

"There is blood everywhere and the victims have over 20 knife wounds to their bodies," said prosecutor Cynthia Ross.

The disturbing details left John Carlson in tears.

His sister, Lori Stone and his niece, Whitney Mendez were brutally murdered in their Lehigh Acres home three years ago.

Whitney's estranged husband, Juan Mendez is on trial for the murder.

In opening statements Friday afternoon prosecutor Cynthia Ross said custody issues about Juan and Whitney's son may have been the motive for the crime.

"The defendant said you can never take my son away and if you do, you'll be sorry," she told jurors.

But the defense says this does not make their client a murderer.

Defense Attorney Gary Bass told jurors physical evidence ties Juan Mendez to the scene but it can be explained.

"When they run the DNA test on those things, it looks like it could be Juan Mendez but it also could be anyone from his lineage. Juan had lived in the house for some time," Bass told jurors.

Following opening statements, the State called their first witness: Sgt. William Murphy from the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

He testified when he arrived at the home of Whitney Mendez and her mother Lori Stone, both women appeared to have been dead for hours.

Outside the home was Whitney's 2 year old son, Javon.

He was sitting in a high chair surrounded in blood.

"The child had been left outside all day and was dehydrated," said Sgt. Murphy.

Also there was Javon's dad and murder suspect, Juan Mendez.

Murphy said Mendez did not appear to be concerned two women were dead inside the home.

Crime Scene Investigator Sheri Dunaske also testified.

On the stand, showed jurors the murder weapons: two knives.

It was used with such force one broke in half, the other bent.

Dunaske also testified some of the fingerprints found at the scene did not match Juan Mendez's.

The trial will resume Monday afternoon.