PALM BAY, Fla.,None — Prosecutors are close to wrapping up their case in a murder trial in which a Brevard County man is representing himself.
While his police interrogation tape played in court, Anthony Horsley, who is representing himself in his murder trial, looked like he may have fallen asleep.
Horsely is on trial for the murder of a Palm Bay store owner in 2006. The 22-year-old has been wearing the same white tuxedo for the past six days as he represents himself in court.
While the prosecutor played a 2.5-hour video of the police interrogation, WFTV saw Horsley lay his head down on the defense table and close his eyes. The jury couldn't see his closed eyes, but they could see his head as it rested on the table. For nearly 10 minutes he didn't move, as though he was asleep.
Horsley faces life in prison if he is convicted in the death of Kiran "Ken" Patel. Prosecutors said Horsley was the trigger man when he and two of his friends robbed the Patels' mom-and-pop store in Palm Bay.
Horsley at first denied knowing anything about the murder. But eventually he admitted that he handled the gun, and then claimed to just be in the car along for the ride.
His two co-defendants, Hassan Scott and Dwan Smith, have made plea deals with prosecutors and will serve 20 years in prison for the murder.
Earlier in the trial when Horsley was up and about, he claimed he was innocent and was set up by the other two.
There is a closet of clothing for defendants at the courthouse, but Horsley has insisted on wearing the same white tuxedo.
Court staff have offered to dry clean the tuxedo for him, but he has declined.
WFTV
