The trial of a Northern Arizona University student accused of shooting four fellow students has begun.
In October 2015, authorities say Steven Jones shot and killed one of the students, and injured the others.
Jones’ attorney Joshua Davidson argued his client was being attacked by the victims and was acting in self-defense. He said Jones feared for his life when he returned to his car, grabbed his gun and opened fire.
“He was surrounded, bullied, threatened, and attacked,” Davidson said. “And did what he had to do to protect himself.”
But prosecutor Ammon Baker said the shooting spree was premeditated.
“The defendant went to his car to get his gun, a fully loaded .40 caliber handgun. And then he went another 90 feet, back toward that group to shoot four unarmed college students,” Baker said.
Jones plead not guilty to murder and aggravated assault.
However, a judge decided last month Jones could not use the statements he made about being scared caught on a police officer’s dashboard camera as part of his argument.