SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Friday was another long day for Seminole County jurors hearing the case of a motorcycle gang member on trial for a deadly gun battle at a charity event.
Paul "The Dog" Smith is on trial accused of firing the first fatal shot at the Winter Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars Post two years ago.
The state rested their case Friday afternoon, but the judge wasn't ready to stop for the day and the defense called their first witness.
The judge, expressing concern for the safety of the witness asked that no photos or video be taken of the witness during testimony.
While presenting their portion of the case, prosecutors showed jurors an FDLE ballistics expert's photos of the damage done to nearby vehicles by gunfire.
Three people died in the shootout that investigators said was the result of a battle between two rival chapters of the Warlocks Motorcycle Club.
Smith's attorney said his client was acting out of fear for his life.
Family members and friends of Peter Schlette, the man Smith is accused of killing, sat in the courtroom as witnesses testified about what happened that day.
Earlier in the week a gang expert testified that stepping into a rival motorcycle gang's turf could mean violent retaliation.
The trial will resume on Monday and the judge said jurors could begin deliberating sometime that day.