Updated

A defense lawyer has told a jury a man was justified in hitting a woman in a New York City parking space dispute that ended with her in a coma. The man says it was self-defense, but prosecutors say it was just angry retaliation.

Oscar Fuller's assault trial opened Monday. The electrician got into an argument with Lana Rosas in February.

He was trying to park his van in Manhattan's East Village in February. She was standing in the space to save it for her boyfriend.

Prosecutors say he punched her in the face so hard she was knocked unconscious and hit her head on the pavement.

His lawyer says she attacked him and he had to use force to protect himself.

___

Follow Jennifer Peltz at http://twitter.com/jennpeltz