Editor's note: Daily News reporter Chris Paschenko is covering the murder trial of Royce Clyde Zeigler who is accused of killing his 2-year-old stepdaughter who became known as Baby Grace. In addition to his regular reports, Chris will post a blog entry at the end of the day's court proceedings.

Click here for The Daily News special report: Baby Grace.

Midway through Thursday afternoon’s testimony in the capital murder trial of a stepfather accused of killing Baby Grace, a television reporter showed me her cell phone.

Seven dead, 12 injured at Fort Hood shooting, read the headline.

Another day of grueling testimony, of how the death of a 2-year-old toddler named Riley Ann Sawyers affected the lives of so many, became even more disheartening with the news.

After the defense and state rested, reports of 12 dead and 31 wounded in possibly the worst shooting incident on a U.S. military base left those remaining in the courtroom in disbelief.

The news of the shootings paralleled a day of testimony, in which witness after witness testified they were “shocked” to learn such a mild-mannered, shy, socially stunted young man could have killed a little girl he loved.

Picking up the pieces and rebuilding lives shattered by senseless violence is becoming too common a trait.

More Baby Grace trial blogs