JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A murder trial for Lance Kirkpatrick started Friday with one witness named Terry Norris taking the stand.
Norris is currently in jail, but testified to knowing Lance Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick is the man accused of killing Kim Dorsey, the wife of a local firefighter, in 2012.
Witnesses who took the stand Friday to describe that time in Kirkpatrick’s life -- at the time of Dorsey’s death -- as a time filled with drug abuse.
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“He was kind of sketchy. He was sketchy,” said Norris.
“What does that mean, what does sketchy mean?” asked the prosecutor.
“He was high,” said Norris.
According to police, Kirkpatrick was hired as a contractor for the Dorseys.
Police said the Dorsey’s let him stay at their home when he fell on hard times.
But they said one day, Kirkpatrick came to pick up a few work items from the home and Kim Dorsey wouldn’t let him in.
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Police said that’s when he turned violent and hit Dorsey on the head with a blunt object and stabbed her.
But while witnesses painted the picture of drug abuse, the defense used that to their advantage, and questioned their credibility.
“Were you also drinking, smoking, getting high?” asked the defense attorney.
“I was drinking,” said Norris.
The state called in seven other witnesses, including JSO officers.
The state did not rest Friday, but were told they will resume the trial Monday at 9:30 a.m.
Kirkpatrick is charged with first-degree murder and burglary.