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Jury selection began Monday in her trial. Santiago stands accused of second-degree murder, manslaughter and assault, among other charges in the beating death of seven-year-old Nixzmary Brown.

"We're here to fight for Nixzaliz Santiago. We're going to tell her side of the story. By the end of this case, people are going to find out what happened in that household was not murder," said Santiago’s lawyer Sammy Sanchez.

Santiago's defense lawyers say their client was a victim of domestic violence and was mentally unstable which prevented her from protecting her daughter. They blame Santiago's husband, Cesar Rodriguez, for all the abuse. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to the maximum of 25 years in prison back in April.

Santiago's defense team is looking for jurors who they hope will take into account her state of mind.

"We are going to talk to the prospective jurors. Talk to them about the reality of this case. How hard it will be to sit here, how emotional, how much we're going to need an open minded jury," said Santiago’s lawyer Kathleen Mullin.

Meanwhile, prosecutors are looking for jurors capable of convicting the mother, if they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Santiago helped cause Nixzmary's death. They argue Nixzmary was a long time victim of abuse.

Judge Patricia DeMango says once a jury is chosen, the trial is expected to last six to nine weeks.