The trial of Theodore Wafer, the Dearborn Heights man who shot 19-year-old Renisha McBride in the face when she knocked on his door for help after a car accident, started last week. He faces charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony after he responded to McBride’s knocking by opening his front door and shooting her through the screen door.
Wafer’s attorney said in opening arguments that Wafer panicked, thinking intruders were trying to break into his house, and shot at the “shadowy figure” on his front porch. Wafer told police immediately after the shooting that he didn’t know the gun was loaded and that it discharged accidentally. His lawyer said at the time that evidence would prove the shooting was justified, so theoretically the trial will reveal whether it was accidental or justified. That evidence will not include selfies showing McBride posed with a gun, marijuana, and cash and other evidence that his lawyers said would demonstrate “whether Ms. McBride had a character trait for aggression“; Judge Dana Hathaway panned that argument and ruled against including the photos.
“Our defense is blown to pieces if you don’t allow me to argue to the jury that she could have been up to no good,” said defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter. A woman who tried to help, rather than kill, McBride that night said McBride said repeatedly that she just wanted to go home.
The Detroit Free Press is liveblogging the trial.