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Former Phoenix Officer Testifies In Murder Trial

Richard Chrisman testified Tuesday that Daniel Rodriguez tried to grab his service weapon two times and raised a bicycle over his head in an attempt to strike him.

September 4, 2013

A former Phoenix Police officer on trial for murder and animal cruelty testified that he feared for his life when he fatally shot a man and his dog inside a trailer on a domestic call.

Richard Chrisman testified Tuesday that Daniel Rodriguez tried to grab his service weapon two times and raised a bicycle over his head in an attempt to strike him.

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Chrisman said he thought Rodriguez would "smash my brains in" with the bicycle, so he shot fired two shots at the suspect's chest. Chrisman said he told Rodriguez several times to get down on the ground.

He also said fellow officer Sergio Virgillo was outside of the trailer and didn't see the shooting, reports Fox News . Chrisman's trial began in early August.

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