JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Testimony began Tuesday for Alvin Welch, who is accused of second-degree murder in the 2013 baseball bat beating death of Joshua Heinz.
Prosecutors say Welch struck Heinz with the bat after Heinz (pictured below) slapped a plate of barbecue out of his hand at an NFL playoff watch party.
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Heinz died eight hours later.
Welch, who is claiming self-defense, says Heinz also grabbed a carving knife and threatened him.
Welch made a stand-your-ground petition, claiming he was in fear for his life when he hit 31-year-old Heinz once in the head with a baseball bat. His petition was denied after a hearing last summer.
Welch, who has five previous felony convictions, has been in jail since shortly after the killing.