Abaroa, 33, is charged in the April 2005 stabbing death of his pregnant wife Janet in Durham. He allegedly told police he found his 25-year-old wife in their home on Ferrand Drive after returning from a soccer game. The couple's 6-month-old son was in the home at the time of the killing, but was not harmed.
In court Tuesday, Abaroa's attorney fought hard to keep the testimony of two women out of the trial. Ultimately, Court Judge Orlando Hudson allowed the jury to hear one of them describe an incident in the couple's home years before the murder.
Charlotte Revel said Abaroa asked her to sit on his lap and tried to show her a pornographic video on a computer.
Prosecutors have tried to show how Abaroa's attitude toward his wife and his marriage laid the foundation for murder.
But the defense fired back Tuesday, calling the testimony prejudicial and a character assassination.
Another friend who also claimed Abaroa flirted with her said Janet was afraid of her husband and she said he appeared to be bipolar.
A former coworker of Janet's also said he had severe mood swings.
"She had talked him into going and getting help again so as long as he took his medicine, he was okay, but when he didn't take it, he would be his normal self again," said Cathy Cheek.
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