Terry Tells Jury He Shot in Self-Defense

A 21-year-old Ventura College student charged with murder took the witness stand Tuesday, telling a jury he shot his sister’s estranged boyfriend and killed the boyfriend’s cousin in self-defense.

“I was scared,” Zolly Terry Jr. of Oxnard testified in Ventura County Superior Court. “I saw my life flash in front of me.”

Prosecutors say Terry walked into a Friedrich Lane apartment Oct. 24 and opened fire on Jerome Hurst, 25, and Vernon Hunter, 27. Hunter survived the shooting, but Hurst died.

Terry fled the scene but was arrested at a fast-food restaurant near Los Angeles International Airport the next day. Police had followed his relatives to the location.

Terry is charged with murder and attempted murder but testified Tuesday that his victims were prone to violence. He described Hurst as a gang member and Hunter as a dope dealer. Hunter, he said, pointed a gun at him before being shot.

Hunter had a romantic relationship with Kiaq Terry, the defendant’s sister. Zolly Terry, however, denied allegations that he shot Hunter because the victim had broken off the relationship with Kia Terry, who was pregnant with Hunter’s child.

Zolly Terry testified that he had gone to Hunter’s apartment the day of the shooting to pick up some money for his sister.

He said Hurst opened the door and let him inside. As soon as he entered, Hunter swore at him and ordered him to leave, he said. But before he could depart, Hunter brandished a gun from under a blanket and pointed it at him, Terry contended.

“I had no choice. I had to protect myself,” he told the jury.

At that point, Hurst “charged me,” Terry testified. So he said he shot Hurst too.

Testimony is expected to continue today.