Ayokunle Lumpkin
Emery ParrishATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
The attorney for the man who shot and killed a former Georgia State University soccer player says his client acted in self-defense.
Dennis Scheib said his client, Emery Parrish, claims he had to fight off Ayokunle Lumpkin and 10 or so of his friends.
Police have issued a warrant for Parrish's arrest and, earlier in the day, his attorney said he is prepared to fully cooperate.
Scheib said Lumpkin and friends beat Parrish after he crashed into one of their cars.
"He got hit several times, he got pushed down on the ground. They tried to knock his cellphone out, knock his hat off," Scheib said.
Scheib believes toxicology reports will show that Lumpkin was drunk or had been drinking and he believes that will add to the creditability of Parrish's case.
Right now, he is working to convey his concern to Atlanta homicide investigators.
Scheib has even prepared a written statement which details the Sunday morning's events from Parrish's perspective for police to review.
In 2005, Scheib successfully tried a case where a civilian shot a U.S. Marine on Peachtree Street after a similar incident.
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