Guy Turcotte murder trial: Jury shown photos of stabbed children

The second murder trial of Guy Turcottebegan Wednesday with the jury being shown photographs of the bloodiedbodies of his two childrenin their beds.

Provincialcrime scene technician Daniel Fortin, who took the photos, was the first witness in the trial of thedoctor whowas found not criminally responsible in 2011 for his children's deaths. Thissecond trial was ordered last year after a lengthy appeals process.

Prosecutor Maria Albanese warned the 12 jurors they would be shown disturbing images of the children, who she saidwere stabbed 46 times.

Another photo showeda bathtub with apparent bloodstains. Nearby wasa kitchen knife and a jug of blue windshield washer fluid only a quarter full.

Albanese said that Turcotte,at the time of the victims' deaths, had recently learned his wife was having an affair. He had moved out of the family home and into a rented home in Piedmont, Que.The couple had agreed on joint custody of their two children, three-year-oldAnne-Sophieand five-year-oldOlivier.

The prosecutor said that Turcotte picked up the childrenon Feb. 20, 2009. Later that night, Albanese continued,he looked up subjects related to suicide online,he cancelled an appointment for the following day and told the children's babysitter she wouldn't be needed.

The following morning, the bodies of Anne-Sophie and Olivierwere found at Turcotte's home. Their father, whowas found lying on his back, was arrested at the scene.

Provincial police crime scene technician Daniel Fortin on Wednesdaypresented the jury with photographs he took at the crime scene on Feb.21, 2009.

The victims' mother,IsabelleGaston,willbe one of the first witnesses to testify after which she can decide whether to stay for the rest of the trial or leave, said the prosecutor. Gaston will be not attending proceedings until she testifies.

Background on legal battle

On Wednesday morning,JudgeAndrVincent began proceedings by readingthe charges to the12 jurorstwo counts of first-degree murderandreminded the jury members to base their verdict solely on the evidence heard in court.

Turcotte is charged with first-degree murder in the 2009 deaths of his children, five-year-old Olivier and three-year-old Anne-Sophie.

In 2011, the former Quebec cardiologist was found not criminally responsible for the deaths and was remanded to thePinelInstitute, a Montrealpsychiatric facility. He was released in December 2012.

The verdict inTurcotte'sfirst trial was thrown out after the courts found the initial judge had made a mistake in communicating with the jury.

A new trial was ordered after the Crown appealed that verdict and argued it all the way to the Supreme Court.

After nearly a year and a half of freedom, the Supreme Court's refusal to hear his case resulted ina warrant being issued for Turcotte's arrest.

Heturned himself in and was taken back into custody.

Follow CBC'sThomas Daigleon Twitterfor updates on court proceedings throughout the day.