The murder trial of a woman accused of brutally murdering her mother in Ossining got underway Wednesday with allegations of a planned kidnapping and an evil curse.

Anne Trovato, 27, is accused of killing her mother, 59-year-old Patricia Mery, in May 2006. Mery, a high school Spanish teacher, was stabbed 24 times and bashed six times with an aluminum baseball bat, according to police. Her body was discovered three days later on Mother?s Day.

During opening statements, the prosecutor described a custody fight between Trovato and her mother over the defendant?s 3-year-old daughter. Trovato apparently believed there was a plot to kidnap the little girl. She claimed her mother was mentally unstable.

Assistant District Attorney Lana Hochheiser says when confronted about the murder by her friend, Carmella Magnetti, Trovato didn?t deny or protest it.?Instead, having her hands in a prayer-like position, she nods,? said Hochheiser.

Magnetti is charged as an accomplice in the case. Her mother is a psychic and the defense claims the two manipulated Trovato to the point that ?she too is the victim of an evil curse and their family tarot card reading.?

The prosecutors have two theories. They believe Trovato either intentionally killed her mother or that the killing took place while Trovato was committing a burglary.

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