The man accused of shooting an 8-year-old boy in the face continues testifying in his own defense Wednesday in his Dallas aggravated assault trial.
Brian Cloninger, 48, claims he does not remember shooting Donald J. Maiden in September 2013 because of amnesia after taking prescription medication and drinking lots of beer that day.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his arrest, Cloninger began his testimony Tuesday afternoon with an apology.
"More than anything I wanted to say something to the family, that I'm sorry about what happened that day," Cloninger said.
The plumber went on to explain how he arranged to meet a transsexual prostitute for a massage at the boy's apartment complex that day because he was distraught over being laid off from his job.
He said he'd left a gun in his pick-up truck from an excursion the weekend before.
Cloninger said he was taking the medication Vyvanse for attention deficit disorder and he had a strange reaction to the drug. He also admitted drinking numerous cans of beer and said he went "lights out" before he left the prostitute's apartment.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
"I do not ever recall seeing Donald, a child. I don't remember picking up the gun. I don't remember firing the gun. I don't remember setting the gun back down. I wish I could sit here and tell you I did.
It would clear a lot of things up. I don't ever remember being out of the vehicle," Cloninger said.
The boy's family members were in the court room during Cloninger's testimony Tuesday. They became emotional and left after listening to what Cloninger said.
Earlier Tuesday, Cloninger's wife, Martha Ewing Cloninger, testified that she was shocked to hear what her husband had done that day.
"That would be an understatement," she said.
She denied knowing her husband had any interest in prostitutes and said she had had never seen him as inebriated as he was reported to have been the day of the crime. His wife said she did know Brian Cloninger was not supposed to drink alcohol or have firearms because he was on probation for drunk driving.
Dallas psychiatrist John Tallmadge testified the combination of drugs and alcohol could induce stupor and account for amnesia.
Prosecution witnesses occupied the first week of the trial and it adjourned Tuesday before Brian Cloninger was finished on the stand.
He returns Wednesday morning and closing arguments are expected later in the day.
There is no jury in the trial. Retired Judge Gary Stephens is hearing the case. The judge will decide guilt or innocence and then decide a sentence if Brian Cloninger is convicted.
