OPELIKA, Ala. – A man charged with killing an Auburn University football player says he shot only after the athlete opened fire outside a party.
The Opelika-Auburn News (http://bit.ly/1WwAEch ) reports Markale Hart testified at a hearing Tuesday about the December 2014 death of 18-year-old Jakell Mitchell. Hart is seeking immunity from a murder charge under Alabama's stand-your-ground law.
Evidence showed Hart and cousin Tyrone Rowe were at a party in Auburn when they saw Mitchell. Rowe testified that Mitchell was angry that Rowe liked a photo of Mitchell's girlfriend on Instagram.
Hart says Rowe and Mitchell argued and Mitchell opened fired. Hart says he returned fire, but another witness says Hart shot first.
Authorities say forensic evidence matched Mitchell to a handgun at the scene.
A judge will rule later on Hart's motion.
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