Trial continues for Horsham mom charged with strangling 11-year-old son

HORSHAM, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- The murder trial for the Horsham, Pennsylvania woman accused of strangling her 11-year-old son to death continues Tuesday.

Ruth Dirienzo-Whitehead, 51, of Horsham, allegedly admitted to strangling her 11-year-old son in April and was charged with first-and third-degree murder.

The trial began Monday and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said they expect the trial to move quickly.

She is asserting an insanity defense in this non-jury trial.

READ MORE: Mom charged with murder of 11-year-old son in Horsham, Pennsylvania then fleeing to New Jersey

The child's father, Daniel Whitehead, testified Monday, the district attorney's office said. Experts are expected to provide testimony on behalf of both the defense and prosecution on Tuesday.

Authorities say she later drove her SUV onto the beach at the Jersey Shore.

Dirienzo-Whitehead told police she didn't want her son to grow up with her family's financial problems, so she strangled him with her husband's belt as he slept.

READ MORE: Mental health evaluation ordered for Ruth DiRienzo-Whitehead, mom accused of murdering son