Man says he punched defendant in Brit tourist slay

MAYS LANDING, N.J. - January 27, 2011

Mario Chavez testified Thursday that he punched Robert Davies after he claimed Davies hurled an anti-Mexican insult at him in the restroom of a Jersey shore bar in August 2007.

When Davies gave chase, British tourist Lavern Paul Ritch ran up to Davies, seeking to help him, but was stabbed in the chest.

Davies, who is acting as his own attorney, acknowledges stabbing Ritch. But he says he acted in self-defense. He says he thought Ritch was part of a group of Mexicans intent on hurting or killing him.

Chavez denies a group was chasing Davies, claiming it was "just me" who was angry with him.

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