Daniel Lastarza takes the stand in murder trial

December 6, 2016 1:07 pm

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Jonathan Stack and Jerri Nassi spotted Daniel Lastarza and Chris Tucker outside of the $3 Bar on Federal Hill and that is when the fight began.

Lastarza admitted Tuesday that he meant to hit Stack and Nassi with a two-by-four, but says he did it “to save his friend” who was getting beat up.

The defendant is being charged with murdering Jonathan Stack and assaulting Jerri Nassi back in July of 2014 both with a two-by-four.

Lastarza says the two of them tackled his friend Chris Tucker and grabbed him around the neck, which is why he grabbed the weapon.

Surveillance video played in court showed Lastarza first hitting Nassi once then running off to hit Stack twice.

His defense team said both hits happened within one second.

“You hit him in the head, didn’t you?” asked the prosecution. “Yes I did. I hit him in the face,” said Lastarza.

However, during the cross-examination, the prosecution says Lastarza did not stop to see if his friend was released before hitting Stack a second time.

The State also questioned why Lastarza stopped to get Chinese food just moments after the fight.

Lastarza’s lawyers then asked the judge to acquit him of both charges saying the State has not proven he was not acting out of defense of his friend Chris Tucker, and there was no malice, which is necessary for a murder charge.

The State disagreed.

The judge ruled that the trial will go on and closing arguments are set for Wednesday morning.