SEATTLE -- For the first time, the man accused of killing a QFC wine steward in a car-to-car shooting spoke publicly in own his defense.
Thomas Dinh Bowman, 31, took the stand Thursday, charged with first degree murder.
Fielding questions from his own attorney, the engineer was calm, answering clearly and pleasantly, even smiling at times. Bowman claimed to be in fear of his life that night after a road rage incident involving Yancy Noll. Bowman insists he does not remember shooting Noll, but recalls cleaning his car and disposing of the evidence afterward.
"I scooped up the bulk of the glass that was on the seat and on the ground in the car put it all into the trash bag," he said. "I wanted to throw it all away. I realized that, since I didn't believe anyone would believe me, and I couldn't tell anyone, I just wanted to erase that this event happened."
The prosecutors went after him during cross examination, challenging Bowman's claim that he does not remember pulling the trigger. They say he shot Noll in a thrill killing that he researched and prepared for.
His testimony continues Monday.
