Two facts are undisputed in the murder case against David Carlson: Norris Acosta Sanchez was killed by a shotgun, and David Carlson was the one who shot him.
Why and how it all came to be will now be decided by a jury. The prosecution and defense gave their closing arguments Monday morning.
The defense said Carlson acted in self-defense when Sanchez showed up at Carlson’s door after escaping from police custody. Carlson had actually worked with police to capture Sanchez after Sanchez told Carlson he was wanted in Rockland County for having sex with a teenage girl. Sanchez claimed it was consensual.
Carlson’s attorney Benjamin Ostrer told the jury that the prosecution's portrayal of Sanchez as a "non-violent rapist” was an illusion.
Ostrer said Sanchez was a man bent on vengeance, since Carlson turned him in. Carlson said he was leading Sanchez to a neighbor's house to call 911 when Sanchez lunged at him, and he shot Sanchez in self-defense.
The prosecution said even if Sanchez did lunge at Carlson, it was Sanchez's right to protect himself since Carlson had him at gunpoint. They say Carlson didn’t defend himself, he murdered Sanchez.
Sanchez was unarmed at the time.
Several law enforcement agencies, using SWAT teams, dogs and helicopters, were used in the search for Sanchez. The defense said that gave the impression Sanchez was dangerous. Prosecutors said, though, that law enforcement would have done that for anyone on the run.
Carlson is facing murder and manslaughter charges.