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Trial begins in MTSU player stabbing death

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) -- Attorneys in the murder trial of a former Middle Tennessee State University freshman who stabbed to death her roommate presented very different pictures of the problems that lead to a deadly fight last year.

Lawyers gave those differing views during opening statements Wednesday in the murder trial of Shanterrica Madden. The 19-year-old is accused of stabbing her former roommate to death, MTSU basketball player Tina Stewart.

Madden, who is charged with first-degree murder, is claiming that she acted in self-defense.

Lawyers said the March 2, 2011 confrontation began after Stewart called police on Madden for smoking marijuana in their off-campus apartment.

Assistant District Attorney General Paul Newman said Stewart had been warned that being around marijuana smoke could cause her to fail a drug test and lose her basketball scholarship.


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