In Fort Worth, where the alleged school shooter’s trial is set to start on Thursday, the jury will not be allowed to hear his case that he fired in self-defense.
The assertion was crucial in preventing Timothy Simpkins from being found guilty of attempted capital murder for the shooting at Arlington’s Timberview High School in 2021.
What Happened?
However, the jury’s final instructions from Judge Ryan Hill did not include self-defense. After video footage showed Simpkins pursuing another kid down a school corridor while brandishing a revolver, Tarrant County assistant district attorney Lloyd Whelchel argued that it should not apply.
Marquetta Clayton, an attorney representing Simpkins, opposed to the judgment many times, stating that “this is the only defense that he could avail himself of, for this particular offense.”
Simpkins was attacked by another student, Zacchaeus Selby, in a fight that took place before to the killing. Clayton and attorney Lesa Pamplin attempted to highlight this violent nature of the fight during their cross-examination of state witnesses.
Murder Allegations
Source: ABC news
Judge Hill gave the jury the opportunity to weigh aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon if they choose to clear Simpkins of the attempted capital murder allegation.
Simpkins might spend the rest of his life in jail for the shooting, which not only injured Selby but also left Calvin Pettit, a teacher, and Shaniya McNeely, a student, injured.
The Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth will host the closing arguments on Thursday at 8:30 a.m.
