APOPKA, Fla. – A jury of six has been selected in the attempted murder trial for the former husband of professional boxer Christy Martin.
James Martin, 68, turned down a 25 year plea deal on Monday after the November 2010 incident, where prosecutors say he shot and stabbed his ex-wife after learning she was leaving him for a woman. Martin faces up to life in prison if convicted of attempted murder.
James Martin's attorney says that at James Martin's age, the plea offer would amount to a life sentence anyway. Prosecutors said James Martin had previously vowed not to accept any plea that was more than three years.
Prosecutors said Christy Martin was stabbed several times in the chest and back and was also shot in the chest. Christy Martin was able to escape and flag down a passing driver for help.
James Martin was arrested one week after the incident after being found hiding in a shed in his Apopka neighborhood. Investigators said James Martin tried to stab himself to death before he was arrested, but he was unsuccessful. He was charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery with a weapon.
James Martin's defense team says part of their case will include aspects of self defense. His attorney said James Martin was trying to fight off a professional boxers 25 years younger than him.
Christy Martin did not appear to be in the courtroom Monday morning. She is one of the world's best known female professional boxers and she says for years her ex-husband threatened to destroy her career by releasing "damaging" videos of her.
Watch Local 6 for more on this story.