I Stand By My Claim: It Was Self Defense

The defense presented its witnesses

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Story Created: May 21, 2008 at 6:14 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 21, 2008 at 6:46 PM CDT

   The defense got their chance today to offer testimony in the manslaughter trial of 57 year old Manuel Garcia.

   Garcia has already been convicted of fatally-punching 59 year old Ivan Herrero, the father of state representative Able Herrero.

   This is the punishment phase of the trial. A half dozen people took the stand today on Garcia's behalf.

   Mostly former co-workers at the Corpus Christi Army Depot.

   But the defendant himself also testified today, standing by his previous claim that the incident that night in October of last year was self defense. Manuel Garcia told the prosecutor, "I was defending myself sir." The jury is expected to begin deliberating tomorrow morning.

   The possible punishment ranges from probation, all the way up to 20 years in prison. That phase of the trial will get underway tomorrow in the 214Th district court.

Friday, May 23 at 1:39 AM dina wrote ...

This is a tragedy for both families. I cried when I saw this story. Rage is the demon here. We should not judge any man lest we take a walk in his shoes.

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Friday, May 23 at 1:23 AM You never know wrote ...

A witness is only good for what they ACTUALLY witness. A stranger struck my husband. It happened so fast, my husband didn't see it coming. I saw the man punch my husband who fell back. When he rose, the man was waiting with his fists clenched. Punches went back and forth. We went to the Police - they questioned the "witnesses", which reported seeing my husband hit the man first. GOD as my witness, they were wrong. We'll never know what got into that man. IThe truth sits alone.

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Thursday, May 22 at 6:28 AM oceanwater wrote ...

Garcia himself looks like the "devil". All he has said is "I was defending myself". He looks and sounds like he has no remorse for what he has done....now where he is going for sure he can use those famous words, " I was defending myself". Garcia where you are headed that is all your are gonna be doing is defending yourself...now you can laugh at yourself because you are the one in " HELL"......GOOD RIDDANCE........

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