La Plata, MD – The attempted first-degree murder jury trial of Elias Alvarado Rosas, 38 of White Plains, dragged into a fourth day of motions and hammering out of details before Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West Thursday, Sept. 24, while more testimony by the defendant told his version of the events which took place at Williford Farm in White Plains June 4, 2014.

Rosas disputed Hernandez Sanchez’s testimony that he was in a port-o-john with his pants around his ankles when the defendant yanked open the door and began assaulting him with a knife.

“I didn’t encounter him,” Rosas told the jury. “He encountered me.”

He claimed that Sanchez, who he accused of raping his wife in March 2014, charged at him and struck him in the face.

Rosas claimed his attacker was holding one arm at his side as if he had a weapon.

“You said you used a pocket knife to defend yourself,” Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Freeman said.

“Yes, to protect my family and myself,” Rosas replied. “When he punched me the second time, I got very frightened.”

Rosas said Sanchez cut his arm while he was trying to punch him. He said the victim went into the bathroom, but he jammed his arm into the door so it wouldn’t shut.

Sanchez slipped and then came charging out of the bathroom.

“When he opened the door, he fell,” Rosas said. “He grabbed his belt like he was going to hit me. I didn’t know if he was going to kill me or not. I moved back and saw that he was bleeding. I got scared. I called Mr. Kent to call the ambulance.”

“Mr. Sanchez never had a knife in his hand,” Freeman stressed.

“His other hand, he kept hiding,” Rosas said.

“You never saw the knife,” the prosecutor persisted.

“I did not see it,” he admitted.

“Did you see Sanchez go to his truck and get something?” defense attorney Robin Ficker asked.

“Yes, he bent down,” Rosas said.

“What did you think he was getting?” Ficker asked.

“I was very frightened,” Rosas explained. “I thought he was getting a pistol or knife or something.”

When Ficker asked Rosas how Sanchez got cut, he told him, “I was just trying to protect myself.”

Closing arguments will take place Friday, Sept. 25.

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com