Photos: Clayton Allison murder trial begins

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A jury began hearing testimony in the murder trial for Clayton Allison, center, on Thursday, January 15, 2015, in Palmer. Allison is charged with homicide in the death of his 15-month-old daughter, Jocelynn Allison, who died in 2008. His lawyers are Hannah Thorssin-Bahri, left, and Ariel Toft, right, both of the state public defender's office.

PALMER -- The emotional trial of a Wasilla father accused of killing his 15-month-old daughter in 2008 got underway in Palmer Superior Court this week.

Prosecutors say Clayton Allison abused the little girl, critically damaging her brain. He told authorities she fell down the stairs the day she died.

But supporters, including the girl's mother, believe Allison deserves to go free.

Christiane "CJ" Allison sat in the courthouse gallery on Thursday with nearly a dozen relatives and friends fighting to clear the murder charges against her husband.

Read more: Trial starts for Wasilla man accused of toddler daughter's death