Victim's Father Testifies In Tulsa Teen's Murder Trial

NewsOn6.com & Tara Vreeland, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Testimony got underway Tuesday in the murder trial of a Tulsa teenager accused of killing his girlfriend at a party more than a year and a half ago.

11/29/2010 Related Story: Tulsa Teen's Murder Trial Begins

Theo Fleming is being tried on a second degree murder charge for the death of 18-year-old Kaitlyn Finnegan. Fleming has pleaded not guilty and claims the shooting was accidental.

Finnegan's father gave the first testimony in court Tuesday, saying Katelyn was looking forward to her high school graduation. She was a soccer player and had plans to study political science. Her father says he had never met Fleming until the day the teen came to his door to say something had happened to his daughter.

Investigators say at first, Fleming said Finnegan had been shot in a drive-by. But his story didn't add up. Fleming later told the officer that it had been an accident, and he didn't mean to shoot her.

Tulsa Police say Finnegan, Fleming and a handful of other friends were hanging out at a house April 2009. Police say Fleming had a loaded gun which he pointed at Finnegan, and then pulled the trigger.

But the defense says the shooting wasn't intentional. Fleming's attorney says the couple's legs were entwined as they sat on the couch and that there was laughter before Finnegan was shot.

The defense says just days before the shooting, Fleming got into a physical fight. They say he bought the gun for protection.

Finnegan's family showed up to court Tuesday wearing purple, her favorite color.  The trial resumes Wednesday morning.

1/26/2010 Related Story: Tulsa Teen To Be Tried As Adult In Murder Trial