Accused murderer Christopher Rhodes took the stand Friday during the trial in Orange County Court.

Rhodes is on trial for the stabbing death of 7-year-old Jerica Rhodes, a girl he raised as his own daughter. Rhodes claims the police always treated him as a suspect and not as a concerned parent. Rhodes also explained the presence of blood in his car was due to Jerica?s frequent nose bleeds.

Tammy Holmes, Rhodes? fiancée, was also called to the stand but at first refused to testify for fear of incriminating herself. She was then remanded in court custody. Holmes later returned to testify that Rhodes was wearing a black leather jacket on the day of the murder. That jacket was found covered in blood and DNA from both Rhodes and Jerica.

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