Accused killer cross-examines victims' family in murder trial

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- The man accused of killing a baby and her grandmother in King of Prussia, elected to represent himself in the case, and on the emotional first day of the trial, he cross-examined the victims' family.

"It was difficult, they're being cross-examined by the person that murdered their mother and daughter," said Kevin Steele, prosecutor.

28-year-old Raghu Yandamuri, who tells jurors he's a scapegoat, is accused of killing 61-year-old Satyavahti Venna and her 10-month-old granddaughter Saanvi two years ago.

Venkata Venna lost both his mother and daughter that day.

In court on Thursday, he recounted the shock of discovering his dead mother on the kitchen floor and the frantic search for his baby.

Prosecutors say Yandamuri, who was drowning in gambling debts, left behind a ransom note demanding $50,000.

Police videotaped a confession, which he now recants, in which he describes killing the grandmother. In the video, he also describes stuffing a rag in the baby's mouth, wrapping her head in a towel and locking her in a suitcase.

On Thursday, both of the baby's parents refused to look at Yandamuri as he cross-examined them, sitting just 10 feet away.

Venkata Venna ended his testimony saying, "No one should experience this. It shouldn't happen to anyone."

His wife at one point cried out, "God Bless my baby!" before collapsing in tears.

There's an old axiom among lawyers: A man who represents himself in a murder trial has a fool for a client.

However Yandamuri's standby court appointed attorney says, he's seen lawyers do worse:

"He's just getting a feel for when he has to know, when to make objections and do that sort of thing. But he's doing fine for a prose person whose not a citizen of the United States," said Steve Heckman, standby attorney.

The trial is set to continue Friday.

If the jury finds him guilty, they will then have to decide whether to impose the death penalty.