CLEVELAND — One of the men involved in the Mr. Cars dealership murders took the stand on Thursday in the murder trial of Joseph McAlpin.
Andrew Keener previously accepted a plea deal and faced cross-examination from McAlpin, who is representing himself and accused of killing Mike Kuznik and Trina Tomala.
McAlpin questioned Keener about lies he made to police. Here is a transcript of the key moment of the cross-examination:
McAlpin: So I'll ask again, how do we know you're lying and how do we know when you're telling the truth? How can we distinguish that to understand that Keener is lying or Keener is telling the truth? What is it a signal or sign?
Keener: Right now I'm telling the truth.
McAlpin: How do we know that?
Keener: I have no reason to lie.
McAlpin: You didn't have no reason to lie in the beginning.
Keener: I did. I was scared.
McAlpin: Scared of what?
Keener: You.
McAlpin: Why were you scared of me?
Keener: and your family. Because if you did those innocent people like that, you do someone else like that.
Keener pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and grand theft auto as part of his plea agreement.
McAlpin's charges include aggravated murder, murder, kidnapping and cruelty to animals.
Jerome Diggs, Junior is also facing charges in this case.