Fujita Trial Resumes Tuesday with Full Day of Testimony Expected

Testimony is expected to resume today in the first-degree murder trial of Nathaniel Fujita, the Wayland man accused of murdering 18-year-old Lauren Astley in 2011.

The trial began Feb. 11 with two days of jury selection, during which Judge Peter Lauriat and attorneys for both sides interviewed about 140 individuals before settling on a panel of 16 jurors, 10 men and six women. Only 12 jurors will decide the final verdict, though all 16 will hear the case. Four will be named alternate jurors before deliberation begins.

On Wednesday, Prosecutor Lisa McGovern and defense attorney William Sullivan offered their openings statements to jurors.

McGovern urged jurors to constantly ask themselves what Fujita was thinking throughout the murder in his family's detached garage and then disposing of Astley's body in a marsh in north Wayland.

Sullivan, however, laid the groundwork for an insanity defense. Sullivan said that Fujita's parents took him to see a mental health professional just weeks before the murder. Furthermore, Sullivan said, a psychiatrist who has spoken with Fujita since his arrest will explain that the defendant suffered from a "major depressive disorder" that led to a "brief psychotic episode."

Following the opening statements of both Sullivan and McGovern, the first witness, Wayland Police Officer Seanna Lombardo took the stand as did Priscilla Antion, the Sudbury woman who discovered Astley's body in a Wayland marsh on July 4, 2011. For a complete recap of the first day, which included opening statements and the first witnesses, check out Wayland Patch's Live Blog from the courtroom.

With Thursday, testimony continued with several police officers, both from the Wayland Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police, taking the stand.

Additionally, three of Astley's co-workers from Shop344 took the stand where they discussed their conversations with her about Fujita as well as the day in early June 2011 when, they said, Fujita's mother, Beth Fujita, visited Astley at work and looked "distraught" during the conversation. For a complete recap of the second day of testimony, check out Wayland Patch's Live Blog from the courtroom.

On Friday, jurors, court staff and attorneys from both sides traveled to Wayland to view the marsh on Water Row where Astley's body was discovered; Fujita's Wayland garage and home where the prosecution says he murdered Astley and hid evidence; and Wayland Town Beach, where Fujita allegedly left Astley's Jeep and threw her keys down a storm drain.

While allowed to accompany jurors on the viewing, Fujita chose not to go along. He has been in jail without bail since his arrest on July 5, 2011.

Court proceedings are expected to take place at Middlesex Superior Court today from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.