New York, NY —

Closing Arguments have begun in the trial of Cesar Rodriguez, who stands accused of murdering his 7-year-old step daughter, Nixzmary Brown. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez has more.

The defenses case is based on the theory that while Cesar Rodriguez might be a child abuser, it was his wife who is the murderer.

Attorney Jeffery Schwartz used the testimony of a secret witness who is only identified as a Rikers Island inmate to try to demonstrate that.

He reminded jurors the witness testifies that while in jail, Nixmary's mother told her about a dream in which both parents are beating the child in the bathtub, when Rodriguez walks away and she continues until the girls body is lifeless.

Schwartz also repeated his criticism that police performed a lopsided investigation which focused on Rodriguez and told jurors not to be swayed by the gruesome pictures of Nixzmary's body that he says were meant to inflame their emotions.

Reporting from Brooklyn Supreme Court for WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez.