The defense of a man accused in a throat-cutting at a party last summer began presenting its case in court this morning.

During opening remarks Wednesday, Clarence Whitaker, attorney for Shannon M. Doine, 32, 2300 Glass Road, Lot 9, said the incident was a “terrible accident.”

Doine is charged with aggravated assault, accused of using a box-cutter to injure Teddy Launius when the two were at the same cookout and party on Aug. 30.

In testimony Wednesday, Launius testified he asked Doine to “take it outside” after Doine made vulgar remarks to Launius’ fianceé. He said Doine swung at him, and moments later, he realized he had been slashed in the attack.

Referring to the “terrible accident,” attorney Whitaker questioned Launius about how much drinking went on at the party and inconsistencies between his statements to police and his testimony.

Doine faces up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dewey Arthur, with Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick presiding.

A jury of seven women and five men, with one man as alternate, was chosen before a lunch recess. As the trial got under way in the early afternoon, one woman juror was dismissed by Patrick because she knew some of the people in the case. The alternate took her place on the panel.

The jury was expected to begin deliberating around midday today.

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Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com