PORTLAND – Testimony is underway in the murder trial of a Portland man accused of killing his sister’s boyfriend.
Mark Cardilli Jr., 24, is accused of shooting and killing Isahak Muse last March.
Court documents indicate Cardilli told police he shot Muse with a handgun but that he claims Muse assaulted him first.
Police said the confrontation happened when Muse refused to leave the home against the parent’s wishes.
Both sides in the case gave their opening statements Monday morning.
“At worst he had a motive of racial violence when he used deadly force against an unarmed black man in his house,” prosecutor Leanne Robbin said.
Defense attorney Matthew Nichols, however, said the evidence “is going to show in this case that Marky’s beliefs were reasonable, that his conduct was reasonable and that he was justified in shooting Mr. Muse.”
Cardilli waived his right to a jury trial and a judge is hearing the case.
