The murder trial of a Cortlandt businessman who is accused of killing his finacee with a baseball bat started Monday.

Prosecutors say Robert Sepe Sr. beat 41-year-old Janette Carlucci so badly in March of last year that dental records were needed to identify her. Police say after the beating, Sepe took off and was found trying to commit suicide on a highway overpass in Binghamton.

The defense argued that Sepe was suffering from panic attacks, depression and insomnia and taking several prescription drugs that could have contradicted each other.

If the jury finds Sepe was emotionally disturbed, they could acquit him of murder charges and find him guilty or not guilty of a lesser manslaughter charge.

Sepe's trial resumes Tuesday.