Day 1 of pre-trial motions centered on a pivotal battle over domestic violence evidence. The prosecution sought to introduce a sweeping 17-year timeline of alleged abuse incidents (1977–1994) as pattern evidence showing motive for murder, framing the killing as culmination of years of controlling behavior. The defense fought aggressively to exclude most of this evidence as remote, hearsay, and prejudicial character assassination. By day's end, the prosecution had introduced a domestic violence expert and presented detailed exhibits including a 911 tape transcript, photographs, and letters, while Judge Ito signaled uncertainty about some evidence but continued deliberation.

• Sojourn's motion to quash was rejected; after in camera review, two documents were ordered produced under strict confidentiality restrictions.
• Defense attorney Gerald Uelmen launched a sustained legal challenge to items 17 through 59 on the prosecution's chronology, attacking admissibility on hearsay, remoteness, and relevance grounds.
• Prosecution argued that abuse was 'transactional evidence'—the killing 'took 17 years to commit'—and offered the alleged pattern to show motive for murder.
• Domestic violence expert Donald Dutton introduced; debate erupted over Battered Woman Syndrome expert admissibility.
• Prosecution presented detailed chronology with photographs, apology letters, prenuptial agreement, and 911 tape transcript.