After two days of rigorous jury selection, opening statements in the murder trial of Brittany Norwood were delivered today. And based on what the defense presented this afternoon, it could be an even more explosive trial than expected.

Today, Norwood’s defense attorney Douglas Wood told the jury that Norwood “lost it” after a particularly fiery fight between her and coworker Jayna Murray at the store. Wood openly admitted that Norwood had killed Murray, but argued that she did not act with the premeditation needed to fulfill the charge of first-degree murder. Prosecutors countered that Norwood’s beating of Murray with several different weapons — leading to a crushed skull and hundreds of distinct injuries — indicated that she had planned the murder. (Yesterday, Montgomery County Circuit Judge Robert Greenberg ruled that the prosecutors would not be able to show the jury “especially graphic photos,” including close-up shots of Murray taken by authorities after she died.)

The prosecution also argued that the story Norwood told police after Murray’s body was found — that she and Murray had been sexually assaulted and beaten by two masked robbers — was indicative of her consciousness regarding the crime; defense attorneys countered that it didn’t prove that she actually had premeditated to commit the crime.

Finally, it was revealed during today’s proceedings that employees at the Apple Store next door to the Lululemon shop heard Murray pleading for her life as they closed their store, but did not contact the authorities. They are expected to testify on behalf of the prosecution.

The defense is aiming for a conviction on a lesser charge; the state is seeking life in prison without parole on the first-degree murder charge. The trial is expected to last for the next seven or eight days.