Suspect Luis Ramos Nunez-Calderon took the stand today in his own defense.

Nunez-Calderon, 42, is charged with criminal homicide, first- and third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, criminal trespass and aggravated assault. The Schuylkill County trial started Monday.

Police say Nunez-Calderon killed Contreras-Hernandez, 38, in her home, then paid a Hazleton transportation company to take him to Manhattan.

From there, he went to his mother's house in the Bronx.

Calderon claims a stranger wearing a ski mask and brandishing a gun entered the house and forced him at gunpoint to cut Contreras- Hernadez's throat.

The man, who threatened to kill Calderon and his family if he didn't come, may have gotten into the house when Calderon left the front door open after Contreras-Hernandez jumped off the second story back porch and he had to go around to help her back inside.

If convicted, he faces life in prison.

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