A man accused of repeatedly stabbing a restaurant employee to death inside a Miami trolley is now claiming he acted in self-defense.
Lamont Collins is facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of 49-year-old Adolf Bruce.
Video captured the chaos inside the trolley as Collins allegedly stabbed Bruce multiple times. Riders can be heard screaming and trying to escape.
After about 30 seconds of stabbing, the video shows Collins leaving the trolley.
Collins, who has chosen to represent himself, sat alongside prosecutors on Tuesday in court as they reviewed graphic video evidence in the case.
He watched the stabbing closely and took notes. Collins also reviewed video showing the aftermath, including blood throughout the trolley.
Collins is using the evidence to prepare for his defense. In a handwritten motion, he claims Bruce physically attacked him and says he pulled out a fishing knife “in defense.”
Collins also claims he feared he was in danger of suffering great bodily harm from Bruce.
Prosecutors, however, contend Collins was the attacker and that Bruce was the victim.
Bruce was remembered by his co-workers as a beloved restaurant employee at Amara at Paraiso who had a profound impact on those around him.
One co-worker described Bruce last year as being “loved to an extreme amount” and said his death affected the entire community.
Because Collins is representing himself, the judge is allowing him to review evidence in the case as he prepares for a Stand Your Ground hearing scheduled for next month.
At that hearing, Collins will argue that his case should be dismissed under Florida’s self-defense law.
The judge will ultimately decide whether the case should be dismissed or move forward.