Vista

Jury deliberations will begin Monday in the trial of Mark Phelps, accused of shooting at two deputy sheriffs after being chased by them in separate incidents.

Jurors heard nearly two days of closing arguments Thursday and Friday and were instructed by San Diego Municipal Judge William Mudd before being sent home Friday afternoon.

The case involves the wounding of sheriff’s deputy James Bennetts on July 31 in Vista and the attempted shooting of another deputy, Alfred MacKrille, two days later in San Marcos.

Phelps, 28, of Vista, is charged with two counts of attempted murder and could face a term of life in prison if convicted.

Phelps’ attorney, John Emerson, told jurors that the two deputies lied in their testimony.

He said both deputies shot at Phelps first and that Phelps fired back in self-defense. Both deputies denied that when they testified last month.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Bill Collins told jurors that Phelps chose to flee after seeing Bennetts because he knew he had two outstanding warrants for his arrest. Phelps also had a pending drug deal he would have missed if arrested, Collins said.

“He chose to set up an ambush, which is what he did,” Collins said.

Emerson said numerous witnesses testified that the first two shots were separate and distinct, while the next series of shots sounded more like a machine gun.