By Denise Blaz
Abilene Reporter-News
ABILENE, Texas — A man on trial for allegedly threatening Abilene Police Department officers last year took the stand in his own defense Wednesday, saying he knew authorities were after him, but he did not assault them.
Larry Dale Smith, 47, was arrested Jan. 17, 2011, and charged with aggravated assault against a public servant after police arrived at his home in the 2600 block of Russell Avenue to arrest him on three outstanding warrants.
When police knocked on his door, Smith answered and abruptly slammed the door, he told jurors.
“I did know it was the police, I’m not going to lie,” he said. “I did not pull a gun — no way.”
Prosecutors allege Smith ran when he saw the officers approaching him and ran outside his home to crawl through a hole in the fence.
In the process, prosecutors allege Smith threatened officers with a kitchen knife and a .22-single shot Derringer.
Smith, who is a felon, is restricted from being in possession of a firearm.
While on the stand, Smith told jurors the knife haphazardly fell in the direction of the officers when he pulled the knife from his back door.
The knife, he said, kept the door from opening.
Smith also said the gun was dropped around his hands when officers were pulling on his pants to get him out of the hole in the fence.
To subdue Smith, an officer used a Taser stun gun, police said.
Smith was released from custody March 4 after posting bond. The trial is expected to resume today.
Copyright 2012 The E.W. Scripps Company