The Columbia man accused of killing Nikki McPhatter may argue that he shot the 30-year-old US Airways employee in self-defense.

Theodore Manning IV, on trial for murder in a Richland County court, had confessed to killing McPhatter but argued Tuesday that his 11-page statement to police should be thrown out.

With jurors out of the room, Manning, 30, told Judge Thomas Cooper that police pointed a gun at his face when they came to arrest him in May 2009. Manning also said he was "terrified" during his arrest, because police cuffed him in his boxer shorts and ripped his tank top.

Manning said police never read him his rights or allowed him to call an attorney.

The judge, siding with prosecutors, ruled that jurors would get to hear Manning’s confession.

McPhatter, who lived in Charlotte, disappeared in 2009 after she drove to Columbia to visit Manning, whom she met on an Internet dating site. Prosecutors allege that Manning shot McPhatter in the back of the head after she tried to end their relationship.

On Tuesday, however, the defense proffered a different scenario – that it was McPhatter who pulled the gun on Manning, and that Manning, in self-defense, took the gun away and shot her as she attacked him.

McPhatter’s body was found days later in her burned-out car in rural Fairfield County.

According to investigators, Manning called a friend, Kendra Goodman, to help his dispose of McPhatter's body. The two then allegedly used McPhatter's debit card to withdraw $500 from an ATM machine.

Investigators say Manning and Goodman admitted to having sex after the murder was committed.

Testimony in the case could begin today.
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Editor’s note: This report was compiled from various news sources covering the trial, including, WBTV.com. and WCNC.com.

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