Accused Murderer Testifies in His Own Defense During Trial
By: Lisa Carr
Updated: August 27, 2008
A Lubbock man on trial for murder this week... took the stand in his own defense today. Mitchell Wachholtz is accused of murdering Chase Pendleton at a Lubbock 7-11 convenience store in July, last year. Wachholtz is seen in surveillence video during the shooting and he told jurors today, the shooting was ultimately his fault, but he considers it self-defense. Wachholtz claims he left the store, after the victims had confronted him inside, because he planned to leave, but when he got to the car, he realized his friend hadn't left with him. He testified he was scared for his friend's life and that's why he got his gun out of the car and headed back toward the store. Wachholtz claims the three victims burst out of the store and started to surround him and he felt his life was in danger so, he opened fire to protect himself and his friend. 
The prosecution showed the surveillance video to the jury and claims there is not any time in the video that you see the victims confront Wachholtz, except maybe lightly brushing up against him as they walked by. The Asst. District Attorney also pointed out that the victims were not even all the way out of the store when Wachholtz opened fire so, it's hard to believe they were any threat to Wachholtz. Police did not find any weapons on the victims.
Before the defense rested its case, a psychologist took the stand saying Wachholtz' tragic childhood, full of abuse and neglect, and his time spent in prison, may have influenced his ability to perceive a threat. The doctor testified it is possible Wachholtz' prior experience caused him to feel threatened and act in self-defense when a person with a more pleasant background might not have felt threatened at all.
The trial is expected to continue Thursday morning at 9:00. A verdict is expected by the end of the day.
