Pa. Man Says Stabbing Over $20 In Pot Was 'Self-Defense'

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — A central Pennsylvania man accused of stabbing another man over $20 in marijuana has testified he acted in self-defense.

Twenty-two-year-old Tyler Marlatt testified Tuesday that he swung a wooden stick at 20-year-old Tyler Struble, when the Lemont man approached Marlatt's girlfriend during the Jan. 16 confrontation. That's when Marlatt claims Struble grabbed an aluminum baseball bat and started hitting Marlatt, who says he grabbed a knife and stabbed Marlatt before running away.

Centre County prosecutors contend the incident began when Marlatt and others went to Struble's home to claim money from a drug deal.

Marlatt's girlfriend has already pleaded guilty to robbery and drug charges in the incident.

Attorneys were scheduled to make their closing arguments Wednesday about whether Marlatt should be convicted of murder, robbery, and aggravated assault.

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