DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) – Both sides rested Thursday after a dramatic last day of testimony in the capital murder trial of Charles Payne.
Payne, who is accused of killing a Dallas Police officer in 2009, took the stand in his own defense.
He told the jury he thought someone was breaking into his apartment when he fired a gun through his door, killing Senior Corporal Norm Smith.
The officer was serving an arrest warrant on someone else inside the apartment. Payne insisted that Smith never identified himself as a police officer.
During cross-examination, prosecutors played some of Payne’s own rap music with explicit lyrics about using guns and violence on others.
The 29-year-old defended his music as entertainment and says he would not have fired if he knew officers were outside.
Payne apologized to Smith’s widow, who is also a Dallas officer.
The jury will hear closing arguments Wednesday morning.
