Testimony continues in Brevard County road rage murder trial

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Testimony continued Monday in the second-degree murder trial of a 65-year-old man accused of shooting and killing a Melbourne car salesman in what authorities are calling an act of road rage.

William Sherwood's defense attorneys said their client is claiming self-defense in the March of 2013 incident, which ended with gunfire at Bobcock Street and Brevard Drive with gunfire.

Authorities said John Pratt, who worked for Boniface Hiers Kia in Melbourne, was test-driving a customer's SUV when he left the dealership.

The road-rage incident lasted for half a mile and ended with a fender-bender at the intersection, with Sherwood rear-ending the SUV Pratt was driving, according to investigators.

Sherwood then shot Pratt twice, killing the longtime car salesman, police said.

Prosecutors said Pratt approached Sherwood with a pen and paper to exchange information. However, defense attorneys said Pratt punched Sherwood through the window and that Sherwood had to defend himself.

One witness testified that he saw Pratt try to open Sherwood's door and thought there was going to be a fight between the two men.

Testimony will resume Tuesday morning.