‘Fender bender’ led to fatal Lexington shooting. Defense claims self-defense.
The suspect and victim in a Lexington homicide two years ago were arguing over a ”fender-bender” just before the fatal shooting, lawyers say.
Prosecutors argue the shooting was murder; the suspect’s lawyers argue he acted in self-defense.
Details of the case were discussed Monday during opening statements in the trial of 42-year-old Jerry Price. Price is charged with murder in the May 2022 death of 40-year-old Ricky Williams in a parking lot off Versailles Road.
The incident could have ended in filing a police report for the small crash, argued Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Amanda Naish. Instead, it ended in a murder scene.
Naish’s opening statements were brief on Monday afternoon.
Two camera angles showed Williams and Price argue behind the cars before shots were fired. Williams ran in front of the cars before collapsing on the ground.
Police officers found Williams dead, lying face-down on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.
Price’s lawyers argued that Williams was aggressive after the fender-bender. Williams yelled at Price, got in his face and mentioned a gun, said defense attorney Caitlin Dunnington.
Acting in fear for his and his wife’s life, Price pulled his own gun and fired.
“So (Price) panicked in that moment, and he thought he had to exert his right to defend himself against Ricky Williams,” Dunnington said.
She conceded that the jury wasn’t there to decide if Price shot and killed Williams — rather, they were there to determine his state of mind before firing the shots.
“It is absolutely a tragedy,” Dunnington said. “(Price) killed him out of self-defense, but he is not a murderer.”
The trial began Monday and is expected to last until Thursday.
