Rochester, N.Y. - Jurors began deliberating Thursday afternoon in the murder trial of Maxwell Wyant.
Wyant is the Brighton man charged with shooting and killing his former roommate last February at the home they shared on Hartfeld Drive home in Brighton.
The defense claims Wyant acted in self-defense when he shot and killed Christopher “C.J.” Schoen, while the prosecution stated that Wyant shot Schoen in the back with the intention to kill.
"Intent can formed in an instant, that isn't something I have to know or know. I do believe it was intent and he had an intent in an instant and I also believe he had an intent before he did this," said Assistant District Attorney Mike Harrigan.
Before summations, jurors heard testimony from Monroe County Chief Toxicologist, Dr. Jeanne Beno, on the presence of some prescription drugs, traces of marijuana and a new form of bath salts in Schoen's system.
Beno said Schoen had consumed the bath salts perhaps an hour before he died, and mentioned that the side effects of the drug include paranoia, psychosis, and aggressive behavior.
"We believed that in the beginning, we think its a good case, it's a classic case of self defense," said Defense Attorney James Nobles. "There was testimony earlier that C.J. had taken bath salts before he went to Hartfeld Drive and certainly the Medical Examiner confirmed that the fact it had been found in the urine, it had been more than a few moments before his death that he had taken the bath salts."
Jurry deliberations will continue until 8 p.m. Thursday evening to determine whether Wyant shot Schoen intentionally or in self-defense.
After listening to witnesses, 911 tapes, and Wyant's interrogation, jurors also saw text messages sent from Schoen to a friends just days before his death.
One February 6th texts reads: "Yeah dude it's not good. I can't get my mind off of it. I just wanna die dude." While two texts on February 8th show Schoen saying "Whats the point in being alive" and "I guess all i can do is find a tall enough bridge. either (sic) that or find money for drugs."
The defense argues these texts indicate Schoen was suicidal. He also argued that Schoen was on drugs and came to Wyant's home looking for a fight that night.
The prosecution says that was not the case. They say Wyant shot Schoen in the back as Schoen was walking out the door on the phone with 911.
