NATCHEZ — A Natchez man accused of shooting and killing a man inside a lounge claimed self-defense in court Thursday.

Marvin Anthony Watson is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Peter Jones III, who was shot inside the M&M Spotlight Lounge, formerly known as Chuck’s Corner, on May 18, 2014.

Watson’s lawyer, Timothy Blalock, said in his opening statement Jones had robbed Watson at gunpoint outside the lounge while Watson was urinating against a wall.

When Watson went back inside the lounge, Jones was eyeing Watson, Blalock said. Jones reached for a gun, Blalock said, and Watson shot Jones in self-defense.

Special Assistant Attorney General Larry Baker said in his opening statement Jones was minding his own business when he was shot.

During the trial, four witnesses testified they saw Watson stand over Jones and attempt to shoot him after he was already on the ground from the initial gunshots. The witnesses said, however, Watson was unable to do so because the gun would not fire.

Blalock asked several questions about how well the witnesses were able to see due to lighting or other obstacles.

Blalock said he noticed one of the witnesses who testified to Watson standing over Jones, Ronnie Rice, was squinting as he looked around the courtroom.

“Do you have trouble seeing sometimes?” Blalock asked.

“No,” Rice said.

Another witness, Alexander Johnson, said he had seen Jones waving a gun around the night he was shot, threatening Johnson and others. However, when later questioned by Baker, he could not remember the date it happened.

“Would you not agree that these dates are extremely important?” Baker asked.

Johnson said on the night of the shooting he left right after being threatened by Jones and was not present during the shooting.

On the night of the shooting, Lorietta Murray, owner of the club, said she was behind the counter getting ready to close her register when the shots were fired. She said Jones had been watching Watson with his hand in his pocket.

Witness Jessica Lucas said she was seated by Jones and had been talking to him for approximately an hour. She said he did not leave for more than approximately five minutes while she was talking to him.

Murray said she was not looking at the time the gunshots were fired, but turned at the sound. She identified Watson as the shooter.

“I didn’t know exactly who he was shooting at,” Murray said.

Murray said she then dialed 911.

Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy Walter Mackel responded to what he said was initially classified as a disturbance. Mackel testified he had been at the lounge earlier with Deputy Dustin Smith checking on the club and had observed Jones and Watson there.

“As soon as I entered the door I observed Mr. Jones lying on the floor on his back,” Mackel said. “He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his chest.”

Mackel said he attempted to give first aid to Jones until medical personnel arrived. Mackel said he did not find any weapons on Jones at the time.

Jones later died from his injuries.

Watson pleaded guilty on March 9 to second-degree murder, however, Sixth District Circuit Judge Forrest “Al” Johnson issued an order saying the court found Watson set out a basis for self-defense against the murder charge.

The order withdrew the court’s acceptance of the guilty plea and sent the case to trial.

Jacqueline Adams, Angela Myles, Dr. Erin Barnhart and Deputy Dustin Smith also testified during the trial.

Today the trial will resume at 9 a.m., and Watson is expected to take the stand to testify.