The Mississippi man accused of killing 8 people closed his eyes, clasped his hands together and appeared to be praying as his 12-year-old daughter testified he had beaten her.

Defendant Cory Godbolt’s daughter, My’Khyiah, testified on Monday that she had been beaten by her father. Testimony was continuing Monday afternoon.

Her accusation came on the third day of testimony of Cory Godbolt’s capital murder trial at the Pike County Courthouse in Magnolia.

Cory Godbolt, 37, is accused of shooting to death eight people including a Lincoln County deputy who arrived at a home in Norfield on a domestic abuse call on Memorial Day weekend in May 2017.

Godbolt listened Monday as his daughter took the witness stand and appeared to be in tears at some points during her testimony.

The testimony came one day after Godbolt’s ex-wife, Sheena May, testified he had been abusive to her as well.

In Sunday’s testimony May described the life she shared with Godbolt prior to the shootings. They’d been together 17 years, and married for seven of those. They had two children, My’Khyiah, known as Bubble, and Cory Jr., known as Buddy.

She said they separated many times over the years, but he’d tell her he loved her and promise to change.

“He said, ‘I love you and I won’t do it no more,’” she said.

Godbolt is accused of killing Lincoln County Deputy William Durr, who responded to a call about a family dispute and seven others including:

His then mother-in-law Barbara Mitchell, 55, of Bogue Chitto

Mitchell’s daughter, Tocarra May, 35, of Bogue Chitto

Mitchell’s sister Brenda May, 53, all of Bogue Chitto

Austin Edwards, 11, of Brookhaven

Edwards’ cousin, Jordan Blackwell, 17, of Brookhaven

Ferral Burage, 45, of Brookhaven

heila Burage, 46, of Brookhaven

Here’s what Godbolt told a reporter on the scene at the time of his arrest:

Suspect tells me Lincoln Co. deputy was just in the way, and after all this he meant to commit suicide by cop. pic.twitter.com/ZebieSQkdR

— Therese Apel (@TRex21) May 28, 2017

Raw video from the arrest of Cory Godbolt, accused of killing 8 people in Lincoln County overnight. pic.twitter.com/8NLSkSvXQR

— Therese Apel (@TRex21) May 28, 2017