Man On Trial In Jaguars Player Shooting

Defendant's Attorney Claims Others Had Motive To Shoot Richard Collier

Published On: Oct 14 2011 12:00:24 PM EDT  Updated On: Oct 27 2009 06:39:54 AM EDT
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

A jury has been selected to hear the attempted murder case against Tyrone Hartsfield, the man accused of shooting Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier 14 times last year.

Collier was shot 14 times as he sat inside his luxury SUV outside a Riverside apartment complex.

Collier was left paralyzed from the waist down and his lower left leg was amputated.

The 33-year-old ex-convict accused Collier of beating him up at a nightclub five months before the September 2008 shooting. Police said the shooting was in retaliation for the nightclub fight, which Collier has denied.

Hartsfield is charged with one count of attempted murder. He has repeatedly denied he pulled the trigger, and has entered a not guilty plea.

In addition to prospective jurors, family and friends of Hartsfield were present to show support.

Hartsfield's attorney is expected to tell jurors that others also had a motive to pull the trigger and that her client is innocent.

Defense attorney Ann Finnell said several people had a motive to shoot Collier, but she has declined to elaborate.

Nearly 100 potential jurors were questioned Monday in court.

A jury was selected Monday evening, and opening arguments and testimony are set to begin Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.

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