CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — The Nevada Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the appeal Thursday of a 25-year-old Spring Creek man who was convicted of second-degree murder but claims he acted in self-defense during a 2012 melee in a downtown Elko parking lot.

Elko County District Attorney Mark Torvinen says the fight had essentially ended by the time Patrick Dunn shot and killed 30-year-old Erik Espitia. Dunn apologized for the killing at last year's sentencing but said he's not a violent person and truly feared for his own life. Elko District Judge Al Kacin ordered him to serve at least 11 years in prison before he's eligible for parole.

He's now served about 2.5 years. Former federal public defender Franny Forsman is representing him in his appeal before a panel of three justices.

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