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The Latest: Lawyer says boiled water attack not about hate

ATLANTA (AP) - The Latest on the trial of a man accused of pouring boiled water on a sleeping gay couple (all times local):

11:15 a.m.

A defense attorney for a man accused of throwing boiled water on a same-sex couple as they slept in a suburban Atlanta apartment told jurors her client was reacting to behavior he found disrespectful.

Martin Blackwell faces charges including aggravated battery and aggravated assault in the February attack that left Anthony Gooden and Marquez Tolbert with serious burns.

The 48-year-old Blackwell was a long-distance trucker and stayed with his girlfriend, Kim Foster, when he was in town. Gooden is Foster's son, and Tolbert was Gooden's boyfriend.

Defense attorney Monique Walker told jurors on Wednesday that the case isn't about hate but rather is about "old-school thinking." She said Blackwell made a bad decision but that his actions weren't hateful or criminal.

Gooden and Tolbert testified Tuesday that they suffered excruciating pain as a result of the attack.

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4 a.m.

Testimony is scheduled to continue in the trial of a man accused of throwing boiled water on same-sex couple sleeping in a suburban Atlanta apartment.

Martin Blackwell faces charges, including aggravated battery and aggravated assault in the February attack, in court Wednesday.

The 48-year-old Blackwell was a long-distance trucker and stayed with his girlfriend, Kim Foster, when he was in town.

Prosecutors say Foster's son and his boyfriend were asleep at the apartment in College Park when Blackwell poured scalding water on them. Both men suffered extensive burns and required multiple surgeries.

The two testified Tuesday about the excruciating pain they said they suffered as a result of the attack.

The prosecution is expected to rest its case Wednesday. Then it will be the defense's turn to present evidence and testimony.

Marquez Tolbert cries Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016 as he listens in Atlanta to testimony in the trial of Martin Blackwell who is accused of pouring boiling water on him and a friend Anthony Gooden, right, as they slept. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) The Associated Press
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