Jury acquits man in fatal store stabbing

By: Associated Press//December 18, 2014//

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Mitrel Anderson hugs a member of his legal team, in La Crosse, Wis., County Circuit Court Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 after being declared not guilty in fatal stabbing of DeMario Lee.(AP Photo/La Crosse Tribune, Rory O'Driscoll) — Mitrel Anderson hugs a member of his legal team Thursday after being declared not guilty in the fatal stabbing of DeMario Lee. (AP Photo/La Crosse Tribune, Rory O’Driscoll)

LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) — A jury has acquitted a man who claimed self-defense in a fatal stabbing at a Kwik Trip store in La Crosse last year.

The La Crosse Tribune reports jurors deliberated about seven hours Thursday before finding Mitrel Anderson not guilty.

Prosecutors said Anderson killed DeMario Lee outside the convenience store restroom in June 2013 by swinging a knife into the side of his head. Anderson contended Lee and two others threatened and assaulted him inside the restroom.

The defense maintained that Anderson was justified in using deadly force to save his own life. Prosecutors argued Anderson’s level of force wasn’t necessary.

Investigators found Anderson and his girlfriend in Madison using cellphone records and arrested them the following day. Anderson’s girlfriend, Brittany Jones, was sentenced to a year in prison.

Information from: La Crosse Tribune, http://www.lacrossetribune.com

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