AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  The defense contends a Maine man on trial for attempted murder was trying to take his own life when he shot his ex-girlfriend while prosecutors contend the man intended to kill the woman and her entire family.

The trial of Jeremy Clement, of Fairfield, got underway Monday with his defense lawyer telling jurors that the gun went off accidentally when the victim’s mother whacked him with a baseball bat.

The Morning Sentinel reports that Jasmine Caret, of Oakland, survived being shot in the chest in April 2017. Clement faces charges including attempted murder, burglary and elevated aggravated assault.

The episode unfolded after Clement rode to Claret’s house on a four-wheeler. Claret’s mother was waiting with a baseball bat, and Clement needed stitches to close the wound on his head.
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Information from: Morning Sentinel, http://www.onlinesentinel.com/