Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 13 Caption Close

Image 2 of 13 Brown's wife, Rachel, takes the stand to testify against him. Michael Brown is accused of assaulting her in their home in the Memorial area. Brown's wife, Rachel, takes the stand to testify against him. Michael Brown is accused of assaulting her in their home in the Memorial area. Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

Image 3 of 13 Former Houston Astro Jeff Bagwell, shown with wife Ericka in 2009, has been subpoenaed the trial. Rachel Brown has testified that she began dating Bagwell months after her fight with her husband. Former Houston Astro Jeff Bagwell, shown with wife Ericka in 2009, has been subpoenaed the trial. Rachel Brown has testified that she began dating Bagwell months after her fight with her husband. Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Chronicle

Image 4 of 13 Michael Glyn Brown, 54, waits for his trial to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Michael Glyn Brown, 54, waits for his trial to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Image 6 of 13 Brown was charged with assaulting wife Rachel Brown in August 2010 by twisting her arm behind her back. Brown was charged with assaulting wife Rachel Brown in August 2010 by twisting her arm behind her back. Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

Image 7 of 13 Brown stands with his legal team during the start of his trial Tuesday. Brown stands with his legal team during the start of his trial Tuesday. Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

Image 8 of 13 Prosecutor Nathan Hennigan explains to the jury how Brown allegedly assaulted his wife. Prosecutor Nathan Hennigan explains to the jury how Brown allegedly assaulted his wife. Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

Image 9 of 13 Defense attorney Dick Deguerin offers opening arguments for Brown, who had pleaded no-contest in 2002 to aggravated assault for beating then-pregnant wife, Darlina Brown. Defense attorney Dick Deguerin offers opening arguments for Brown, who had pleaded no-contest in 2002 to aggravated assault for beating then-pregnant wife, Darlina Brown. Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Image 11 of 13 Brown returns to court after a short break. The trial is expected to last several days because the family's nannies, body guards, security guards and gardener are all expected to testify. Brown returns to court after a short break. The trial is expected to last several days because the family's nannies, body guards, security guards and gardener are all expected to testify. Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

Image 12 of 13 Rachel and Michael Brown appear in a 2009 photo. Rachel and Michael Brown appear in a 2009 photo. Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Chronicle