SAN ANTONIO – The first murder trial of the year began Tuesday in Bexar County, as Mason Lubitz faces charges for the fatal shooting of his neighbor , Trevor Beeman, on Christmas Day in 2021.
Lubitz, 24 at the time, has admitted to the shooting but claims it was in self-defense.
Lubitz called 911 after the shooting, telling the dispatcher, “I don’t know what to do, and I just shot and killed someone.”
Prosecutors argue that Lubitz caused Beeman’s death by shooting him with an assault rifle, a fact the defense does not dispute.
However, Lubitz’s attorney, Jason Goss, contends that Beeman had been drinking heavily and using cocaine before threatening Lubitz inside his apartment, prompting the defendant to act in fear for his life.
The case also hinges on events from three months earlier, when Lubitz reported to 911 that Beeman had assaulted him and pointed a gun at him. The jury heard audio from that call, where Lubitz described Beeman as “very crazy” and armed.
Prosecutors allege that Lubitz displayed erratic behavior leading up to the shooting, including being seen on a neighbor’s security camera carrying an assault rifle the night before.
Beeman’s father also testified that Lubitz was yelling at him and his son as they went to walk his son’s dog and was very erratic.
“Heard him yelling, and as soon as he focused his yelling at me, that is when Trevor went to him,” James Beeman said.
It was also unclear if Beeman walked into Lubitz’s apartment. While on the stand, James Beeman said he was sure, but the defense said the day of the shooting, he told police his son did walk in.
During the opening, Goss also mentioned that Lubitz had been trying to move out of his apartment and did not expect Beeman to be home that day.
“He was terrified of Trevor Beeman and had good reason,” Goss said.
Testimony in the trial is expected to continue throughout the week. If convicted, Lubitz faces up to life in prison.