Houston stand your ground trial now with jury

Houston stand your ground trial now with jury

HOUSTON (AP) — Jurors are deliberating the fate of a Texas man who argues the state’s version of a stand-your-ground law allowed him to fatally shoot a neighbor in 2010 after a confrontation about a loud party.

Raul Rodriguez videotaped the incident and is heard on the recording claiming he feared for his life, saying “I’m standing my ground.”

During closing arguments today in Rodriguez’s Houston trial, prosecutors said Texas’ stand-your-ground law doesn’t justify the slaying.

Defense attorneys countered a 2007 expansion of the law allowed Rodriguez to use deadly force.

While the expansion allows people to defend themselves in their homes, workplaces or vehicles, legal experts say it also gave people wider latitude on the use of deadly force.

Rodriguez faces up to life in prison if convicted of murder.