A 25-year-old Tucson woman who shot a younger woman five times in the torso in July 2008 was only acting in self-defense, her attorney told jurors Tuesday.
Tamara Maxwell is charged with first-degree murder in the July 3, 2008, death of Karina Gonzales, 21, and opening statements were held Tuesday in Pima County Superior Court.
Defense attorney Brian Metcalf told jurors Maxwell was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Gonzales was romantically involved with two people in July 2008 - former girlfriend, Robbyn Kollasch, and new boyfriend, Julian Garcia, Metcalf said.
On July 2, 2008, Gonzales and Kollasch had been arguing about the future of the threesome's relationship.
Kollasch and Maxwell, who was an acquaintance, went out, Metcalf said and when they returned to the east side home early the next morning, an even more heated fight broke out.
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When Maxwell tried to calm the pair down, Metcalf said, Gonzales grabbed a vase and Maxwell shot as the other woman advanced toward her.
Gonzales kept coming after Maxwell even after the first shot, so Maxwell kept shooting, Metcalf said. "It wasn't until after the final shot that Karina stopped her advance," she said.
Deputy Pima County Attorney Mark Diebolt told jurors the evidence will show Gonzales was not a threat and Maxwell's actions were intentional and premeditated.
Maxwell didn't call 911, she forced police to find her, Diebolt said.
Maxwell also hid the gun after the shooting, and forced Kollasch to make up a story about a home invasion to cover up her actions, Diebolt said.
When Maxwell was arrested, she didn't tell police she acted in self-defense until hours into the interview, Diebolt said.
Jurors were not told Maxwell is also waiting to go trial in a second shooting that took place two days prior to Gonzales' death.
Maxwell is accused of shooting a man in the stomach on July 1, 2008. He survived.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com
