GALVESTON, Texas -- Friends of the man accused of killing his 2-year-old stepdaughter testified that he was what one called "a very sweet, caring person."

Neighbor Melanie Allard was called by the defense Wednesday in the Galveston County capital murder trial of Royce Clyde Zeigler II. He's accused of killing Riley Ann Sawyers, whose unidentified body was dubbed "Baby Grace" when found in a plastic container in Galveston Bay.

Zeigler's high school friend, Reed Emerson, testified to jurors that his friend "had a very good heart and was easy going."

He said Zeigler had a loving relationship with Riley Ann and that the girl called him "Daddy."

Emerson did not like Zeigler's wife and Riley's mother, Kimberly Dawn Trenor.

"I never really cared for Kim -- didn't think she was a good mother. But, he was happy and I was happy for him," he said.

Prosecutors asked Emerson if Zeigler's admission of dumping the girl's body in Galveston Bay sounded loving.

Emerson said no, but also insisted Zeigler was a good person. He said he does not believe Zeigler had a hand in the killing.

Family friend Melanie Allard testified that as a teenager Zeigler was shy, trusting and easily manipulated.

She was asked if she was surprised when she heard he had been charged with a child's murder.

"I was more than surprised, I was shocked," Allard said. "I still don't believe it."

Under cross examination, Allard also said that she does not believe Zeigler's admissions to police that he helped cover up the killing. She told prosecutors that it wasn't his nature.

Another friend, Kathryn Nelson, described Zeigler as a teddy bear who baby-sat her children as a teenager. She described him as shy and socially awkward, and as an extremely docile and gentle man.

Trenor is already serving a life sentence for capital murder in her daughter's death.

Prosecutors say Riley died after a violent discipline session in July 2007. A fisherman found her remains three months later.

If convicted of capital murder, Zeigler faces life in prison without parole.