A man accused of killing another man at an Aurora park after a Fourth of July celebration in 2004 was in fear of his life and acted in self defense, the suspect’s defense attorney said today.
The first-degree murder trial of Sir Mario Owens got underway this morning in Arapahoe County District Court with opening statements and prosecution witnesses. The trial is expected to last up to four weeks.
Owens is accused of shooting and killing Gregory Vann at Lowry Park following a rap event put on by Vann and Javad Marshall-Fields.
Owens, his friend, Robert Ray, and another man have been charged in the death of Javad Marshall-Fields, who was gunned down a year later along with his fiancee, Vivian Wolfe, on the eve of the trial.
In November, Ray was convicted of being an accessory to murder in Vann’s death. Ray faces 32 to 108 years in prison. He’ll be sentenced next month. The trial in the deaths of Marshall-Fields and Wolfe are upcoming.
Staff writer Carlos Illescas can be reached at 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com.
