[Times photo: Jamie Francis] Prosecutor Pam Bondi watches as witness Jon Whispel explains a photo entered into evidence of the garage at Vicki Robinson's house in Carrollwood. During Whispel's testimony, the courtroom gallery was filled; in the back, people were standing.

At the beginning of her fourth day of trial, long before any of the day's most wrenching testimony, Valessa Robinson cries. [Times photo: Jamie Francis]

[Times photo: Tony Lopez] After the lunch recess Thursday, Valessa Robinson talks across the defense table to her father, Chuck, leaning across the rail in the front of the courtroom.

Former juvenile detention officer Elva Pena says Valessa told her: 'I killed my mom." [Times photo: Tony Lopez]

Lead defense attorney Dee Ann Athan, left, cross-examines Jon Whispel on Thursday. Prosecutor Pam Bondi is in the foreground. [Times photo: Tony Lopez]

[Times photo: Jamie Francis] Jon Whispel reacts during questioning by Assistant Public Defender Dee Ann Athan on Thursday. Athan tried to discredit the most damning part of his testimony: that Valessa had held down her mother.