In an unusual move, an Orangeburg man charged with murdering his live-in girlfriend in 2004 took the stand in his own defense Wednesday.

Charged with murder, 24-year-old Corey Stephens took the witness stand in General Sessions court to tell his side of what happened on Halloween Day, 2004.

“Are you f - - - - - - g crazy?” Stephens said, recreating the moment his girlfriend was shot in the face with a handgun.

“And then what happened?” defense attorney Byron Gipson asked.

“She came for the gun, with both hands, like this,” Stephens said, holding his hands out.

Latasha Shante Singleton, of 1234 Wilson St., was declared dead Nov. 8, 2004, after clinging to life at a Columbia hospital for eight days.

The 19-year-old Singleton had been shot once in the right eye with a .38-caliber handgun on Halloween Day 2004.

Prosecutors say it was murder, Stephens says it was an accident, testifying on the stand that an argument over his sleeping with another female culminated with the shooting.

“She walked around the bed, I heard the nightstand open,” Stephens said. “I heard a click, then I sat up.”

Sitting up, Stephens saw Singleton holding a .38-caliber Colt revolver Stephens said he carried on his job as a pizza deliveryman.

Stephens and Gipson demonstrated how the ensuing struggle developed, with Gipson playing the part of Singleton, who was initially thrown to the floor of the apartment. As Singleton attempted to rise, she grabbed the handgun, Stephens said.

The profanity and yelling ceased after the gun barked once.

“She lay there flat, she didn’t move,” Stephens said. “I thought she was dead.”

The defendant admitted he then washed his hands of Singleton’s blood using bleach and some soap.

“When all this was going on, why didn’t you just get up and call 911?” Gipson asked.

“The sight of blood on my hands, I’m a little squeamish,” Stephens answered. “I was a little spazzed out.”

“What were you scared of?” Gipson asked.

“This,” Stephens said, indicating the trial.

Under cross examination, First Circuit Deputy Solicitor Don Sorenson focused on Stephens’ actions after the shooting.

“Tell the jury why you washed your hands,” Sorenson said.

“I was squeamish,” Stephens said.

“Is that the only reason?”

To serve as a rebuttal witness after Stephens, Orangeburg Department of Public Safety Lt. Dennis Romanstine took the stand. Romanstine said Stephens told investigators he washed his hands to get rid of gunpowder residue.

While Stephens admitted he took time to hide the pistol, wash his hands, place Singleton on a blanket – 911 still had not been called.

“Where was she when you were hiding that gun?” Sorenson asked.

“In the bathroom,” Stephens said.

“Where was she when you were washing your hands?”

“Still in the bathroom.”

Meanwhile, the second day of the trial was marked by differences over whether jurors could hear allegations that Stephens may have been involved in a gang.

A difference of opinion between Fourteenth Circuit Court Judge Carmen Mullen and First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe prompted a visit to chambers, the results of which weren’t later published for the record.

With jurors still out of the courtroom after lunch, Pascoe made an appearance in court apparently to argue the relevancy of questioning the defendant on his alleged gang activity, an argument Mullen refused to allow before the jurors.

“Ma’am, I say this with all due respect, I don’t believe we’re getting a fair trial,” Pascoe said.

“Mr. Pascoe, are you asking for a mistrial?” Mullen said.

“No, ma’am. I have some serious concerns that this court’s ruling today is so prejudicial that it is preventing us from having a fair trial.”

Earlier, prosecutors attempted to introduce pictures of what investigators believe is gang-related paraphernalia found in Stephens’ apartment.

“The state is seeking to introduce evidence that the defendant is in a gang,” Mullen said. “This guy has painted himself as a good guy, he played football, and it’s just not so, according to you.”

Saying she didn’t want Stephens to be convicted on his possible gang-related activities but rather on the current charge, Mullen suppressed the pictures.

It was then that the discussion between the solicitor and the judge took place, prompting a recess.

“And in 10 minutes, I want to meet with all the lawyers, and that includes Mr. Pascoe,” Mullen said.

The courtroom murmur escalated noticeably the moment Mullen left the courtroom.

Twenty-five minutes later, the attorneys entered the judge’s chambers for what turned into a 15-minute meeting. Mullen returned to the bench 55 minutes after she originally left at 3 p.m.

The results of the meeting were not put on the record. However, Sorenson afterward did not introduce any photos concerning alleged gang-related paraphernalia.

After court was adjourned, Pascoe would not comment on the chamber conversation, stating only “it was very cordial and professional. I have a great deal of respect for Judge Mullen and think she is a very conscientious judge.”

Mullen ordered the court to reconvene at 10 a.m. today.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5516. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.

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