Murder trial begins for accused Big Sandy gunman

BENTON COUNTY, Tenn. — An accused killer appeared Wednesday in court for the first day of his murder trial.

George Burns is on trial for the Nov. 16, 2015, shooting death of Michael Nuzzo.

As opening arguments unfold, attorneys for both sides are asking jurors to consider whether this deadly shooting was premeditated murder or self-defense.

“His plan is to get away with murder,” District Attorney General Matt Stowe said.

Prosecutors say Nuzzo and Burns were friends, so close they had gone on double dates together, until Nuzzo began dating Burns’ ex-girlfriend.

“He meticulously planned and executed a young man named Michael Nuzzo on the streets of Big Sandy in broad daylight, in front of cameras,” Stowe said.

State prosecutors showed some of that surveillance video to the jurors, which does not show the shooting but does show the moments leading up to the fatal encounter.

Both sides agree there was an altercation between the victim and Burns, but Burns’ attorneys say the shooting was self-defense.

They say that when Nuzzo jumped out of his girlfriend’s car and attacked Burns with multiple punches, Burns fired a single, fatal gunshot before waiting for officers to arrive.

“We are here today because Michael Nuzzo hunted George Burns,” defense attorney Ben Powers said. “When they confronted Mr. Burns to arrest him, he stood up with his arms up and said ‘I’m your guy. I’m the one you’re looking for. He attacked me. I had to defend myself.'”

Whether the case was an execution or self-defense will be left up to the jury. The trial is scheduled to last through Friday.