|
Theodore Wafer, 55, has been charged with second degree
murder for firing a fatal shotgun blast at Renisha McBride, 19,
at his Dearborn Heights home after she knocked on the door
seeking help early one morning last November. He faces up to
life in prison if convicted.
McBride had been drinking and smoking marijuana before getting
into a car crash.
During closing arguments on Wednesday, Wayne County assistant
prosecuting attorney Patrick Muscat said that Wafer handled his
Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, "like a toy, and as a result a
19-year-old is dead."
Wafer had told police that the shooting was an accident. He
testified this week that violent knocking on the front and side
doors caused him to think someone was breaking in. He said he
"shot in fear" when he saw a figure coming to his door but did
not take aim.
Defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter said Wafer acted in
self-defense, and that while he may have been mistaken, he's not
guilty.
"He's not a gun nut, he's not an angry person, he's not
paranoid," said Carpenter. "He was in terror."
The killing has sparked protests in Dearborn Heights and
comparisons to the 2012 Florida shooting death of Trayvon
Martin, a black teenager who was also unarmed.
To convict Wafer of second-degree murder, the jury must find
that he meant to kill or cause great bodily harm, or knowingly
created a situation that could result in death or bodily harm.
Wafer also faces manslaughter and firearms charges.
The jury started deliberations on Wednesday by asking to see
Wafer's gun, and then his screen door.
(Editing by Mary Wisniewski and Eric Walsh)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
Detroit
jury continues deliberations in porch shooting case
