Defendant takes stand to deny role in shooting that paralyzed Jacksonville Jaguars’ Collier

Man takes stand to deny shooting Jaguars’ Collier

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The man charged with shooting a Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman has taken the stand in his own defense and denied being involved in the attack.

Tyrone Hartsfield faces attempted murder and weapons charges in the 2008 shooting that left Richard Collier paralyzed.

The 32-year-old defendant cried during his testimony Wednesday. He denied following Collier to an apartment near downtown, where Collier was shot while sitting in his car.

Hartsfield said he was with his fiancee at a night club the entire evening and they went home after a concert.

Collier was shot several times, severing his spinal cord. Doctors also had to amputate the former player’s left leg after blood clots formed.