Suspect testifies in ND gun-in-courtroom case

FARGO, N.D. — A man accused of brandishing a gun in a North Dakota courtroom and unsuccessfully trying to kill jurors, a sheriff and a prosecutor says he doesn't remember trying to pull the trigger.

Vicente Chacano (vih-SEN'-tay sha-KAN'-oh) is on trial on 14 counts of attempted murder in the incident about a year ago in the Adams County Courthouse in Hettinger. He testified Wednesday that he had forgotten the gun was tucked into his pants, and that he panicked after being convicted of child molestation.

The gun didn't fire. Prosecutors and staff tackled Chacano.

Chacano is a Chilean native who was working in southwest North Dakota as a farmhand. His trial was moved earlier to Fargo. He took the stand Wednesday with the help of an interpreter.