AUTOPSY PHOTOS AN ISSUE AT WOMAN'S MURDER TRIAL.

Byline: David Greenberg Staff Writer

The trial for a mother of five accused of fatally shooting her husband, dismembering his body and setting it on fire is scheduled to begin Monday with a motion to determine whether gruesome autopsy photos may be shown to the jury.

Gladis Soto, 38, of Ventura remains in county jail on suspicion of murdering her 35-year-old husband, Pedro Alba Barragan, in February.

Deputy District Attorney Patricia Murphy said the jury should be allowed to see at least some of the 10 or so photos so they will know the heinous nature of the crime.

But defense attorney Jorge Alvarado said his client already acknowledges shooting her husband - he said the motive was protection after years of physical and mental abuse - so the photos are irrelevant.

``It would be rather prejudicial for any jury to look at these photos,'' he said.

The issue of the photos is one of about six motions both sides are expected to make in a trial expected to last at least four weeks.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin later next week.

Soto also has been ordered to stand trial on charges of allegedly stealing $47,605 in cash and food stamps from 1994 through 1997.

Prosecutors say she was not eligible to receive the benefits because Barragan was employed and living at home during that period.