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White River Junction, Vermont - May 9, 2011
Was it murder or self defense? Jurors will decide the fate of a Springfield man accused of 2nd degree murder. Trial is now underway in a case that happened nearly three years ago.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys both agree that 27-year-old Kyle Bolaski fired the fatal shot that killed Boston native Vincent Tamburello. But, was it a crime? On Monday Tamburello's parents and brother -- MTV reality star Chris Tamburello, better known as "CT" -- were on hand for opening arguments where prosecutors described how the shooting took place.
The incident happened on a field in Chester in broad daylight while crowds gathered for a weekend softball tournament. According to prosecutors, Tamberullo showed up at the field to settle a score from a fight the day before. He was armed with a stun-gun, a knife, and a splitting maul. Prosecutors says Tamburello rushed a group -- that included Bolaski-- with the ax in hand and ended up setting his sights on Bolaski's truck.
That's when prosecutors say Bolaski took out a 30-06 riffle and fired two rounds, first hitting Tamburello in the leg and then in the back. Defense attorney Kevin Griffin says its a simple act of self defense.
But it's the second shot that the state says went beyond just self defense. Prosecutors say Tamburello was wounded and retreating so the shot to the back was, in fact, murder. Bolaski is also charged with aggravated assault for allegedly striking Tamburello in the face with the butt end of the riffle as he lay bleeding to death. Details that this father, Vincent Tamburello Sr., says are hard to re-live.
"There is such pain and anguish hearing everything again and all, that we just can't imagine sitting through this for so long, but we know we have to," he said.
The trial is scheduled to last two weeks and the state plans to call over a dozen witnesses. If convicted on the second degree murder charge, Bolaski could spend at least 20 years behind bars.
Adam Sullivan - WCAX News
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