Trial underway in Santa Rosa strangulation death

A trial was underway Monday for a 67-year-old Santa Rosa man charged with strangling his wife of 40 years.

Dean Howard Eliason faces life in prison if convicted of murdering Virginia Caetano, 64, in 2013.

The slaying happened during an argument at their home in the Rincon Valley Mobile Home Estates.

Eliason is accused of strangling Caetano with an electrical cord.

The former Sonoma Developmental Center psych tech was found with the cord wrapped twice around her neck.

In opening statements Friday, lawyers for Eliason admitted he killed her. But they said he suffers severe depression that prevents him from forming the specific intent required for a murder charge.

On Monday, Eliason sat in a Santa Rosa courtroom as jurors looked at autopsy photos of Caetano on an overhead screen and listened to a forensic pathologist describe how she died.

Dr. Kelly Arthur testified it appeared the person who killed her may have strangled her from behind.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.