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Man accused of trying to murder Travis Co. judge dodges prosecutor's questions during trial

Onyeri testified that he didn't know she was in the car and that he only meant to scare her and her family.

The man accused of shooting a Travis County Judge is back on the stand Monday to share his side of the story.

According to KVUE's partners at the Austin American-Statesman, during his testimony last Thursday, Chimene Onyeri admitted to shooting into Judge Julie Kocurek's car two years ago. Although Onyeri confessed to shooting at Kocerek, he said he did not intend to kill her and that it was a mistake, the Statesman reported. He testified that he didn't know she was in the car and that he only meant to scare her and her family.

Bullets didn't hit Kocurek, but shrapnel hit her face and hand and she spent nearly two months in the hospital to recover from the attack.

Prosecutors disagreed with Onyeri's testimony and said he intended to kill Kocerek before she could send him to prison for a probation violation.

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According to KVUE and Statesman reporter Tony Plohetski, during the trial Monday, Chimene Onyeri was all over the map with answers when he was questioned by Prosecutor Gregg Sofer.

Plohetski said Onyeri dodged questions about co-conspirators in white-collar crime in the Houston area. “I can’t divulge that so get off of it!” Onyeri said.

When the judge asked for names, Onyeri provided a few names but said he wasn't sure if they were legal names, Plohetstki reported.

Onyeri has said that he stalked Kocurek in the days leading up to the shooting.

Closing arguments are expected Tuesday morning in the case. Then it will go to a jury.

Onyeri faces a life sentence.

Plohetstki tweeted updates from the courtroom. Follow him for the latest:

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