Testimony began Monday in the trial of Jermaine Bass, a Tampa man accused of shooting his two children in 2022, resulting in the death of his 5-year-old daughter, Jayla, and injuries to his 8-year-old son, JJ. Hillsborough County deputies responded to the shooting around 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2022, when Shirley Bass heard gunshots after she tucked her kids into bed. Upon deputies arrival, they found 32-year-old Jermaine Bass holding his 8-year-old son. "It was an accident. I accidentally shot my son," he told deputies at the time. Bass was arrested and charged with first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree attempted premeditated murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse. In court on Monday, prosecutors alleged Bass intentionally fired five shots at his children in their home during a period of marital discord with his wife, Shirley. The defense contends that Bass did not fire the weapon and is pointing to other potential culprits. Prosecutor John Terry emphasized the deliberate nature of the crime, saying, "Every single one of those five shots had to pull that trigger.” Body camera footage from responding deputies captured Bass admitting he was in the children’s room at the time of the shooting. However, defense attorney Jennifer Spradely argued that Bass was not responsible, saying, “My client did not shoot his children.” The case hinges on conflicting evidence. Prosecutors presented a 911 call where Shirley Bass is heard hysterically pleading for help to arrive quickly but did not answer deputies’ repeated questions about who fired the gun. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/trail-for-man-accused-shooting-2-kids-tampa/67-ac47749e-b8da-4148-ab78-9e83a438bc5e