Yuma man accused of murder takes the stand

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YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - A Yuma man is taking the stand in day five of his murder trial Tuesday.

40-year-old Nicholas Harder is charged in the death of 57-year-old Anthony Jordinelli in May of 2023. He faces one count of premeditated first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated assault.

During the fifth day of the trial, Harder claimed Jordinelli attacked him first, and then he acted in self-defense.

"I said, 'This is what you're here for...you're here to work, not watch porn and masturbate.' He got real mad at me. Then, I walked to the kitchen to leave him alone for a bit, and I was trying to figure out how I'm going to get this hooked up. I went back into the bedroom to see if he was done doing what he was doing and to see if he was going to work or not. I saw him with my cigarettes and he blew up on me."

Nicholas Harder

Harder said he asked Jordinelli to help him with some construction work, but Harder then said Jordinelli became upset and lunged at him.

"He lunged at me and I pushed him off of me," Harder shared, claiming Jordinelli died as a result of Harder's actions in self-defense.

The state attorney then cross-examined Harder about his testimony, with the attorney saying Harder had ten injuries on him while Jordinelli had "41 blunt-force groupings of injuries to him."

The attorney also asked Harder why he didn't call 911 if Jordinelli was attacking him, and Harder said, "I was afraid because the minute I turned my back, he would start attacking me again."

KYMA will keep you updated on the latest developments on the trial.