A lawyer for a New York City murder suspect arrested after being spotted on a jumbo screen at a North Carolina basketball game says the man was defending himself when he shot an acquaintance.
Earle Barranco is being held without bail after his Manhattan arraignment Wednesday.
Prosecutors say the 24-year-old shot Corey Scott repeatedly in the head during a dispute over money at the Good Stuff Diner on Oct. 23.
They say authorities traced Barranco through his cell phone to Charlotte, N.C. Someone phoned police about his big-screen appearance at a Charlotte Bobcats game.
Defense lawyer Howard Greenberg says Barranco feared for his life when Scott confronted him. The lawyer says Barranco shot because a botched hip surgery has left him unable to run.
