Texas stand-your-ground case sentencing to resume

[June 25, 2012]  HOUSTON (AP) -- Attorneys for a retired Texas firefighter convicted of murder in the shooting of his unarmed neighbor over a noisy birthday party prepared to present witnesses in the punishment phase of his trial.

Forty-six-year-old Raul Rodriguez argued he was within his rights under Texas' version of a stand-your-ground law when he killed Kelly Danaher in 2010.

The punishment phase in the Houston trial is to resume Monday after more than a week's delay due to scheduling conflicts. Rodriguez faces up to life in prison.

Prosecutors have already presented neighbors, former co-workers and Rodriguez's ex-wife. They testified Rodriguez was abusive, a bad neighbor and had once shot a dog.

Rodriguez killed Danaher, a 36-year-old elementary school teacher, and wounded two other men while telling a police dispatcher, "I'm standing my ground here."

[Associated Press]

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