TUSCUMBIA -- Testimony in the murder trial of Brian Martin indicate he and his father, Donice “Boo Boo” Scott,” had a “love-hate” relationship that often involved verbal confrontation.

But witnesses said they never witnessed their disputes becoming physical.

Martin, 33, Sheffield, is accused of shooting his father with a .40-caliber Glock pistol on May, 11, 2011, at Scott’s residence at 1011 E. Second St., Tuscumbia.

During opening statements, Assistant District Attorney Angela Hulsey said Martin went to his father’s home that day to collect $1,120 his father owed him.

She said he went there several times to try to collect the money, made numerous phone calls and text messages to his father.

“He was relentless,” Hulsey said. “He wouldn’t give it up.”

Defense attorney Billy Underwood said his client acted in self-defense.

During his opening statements, Underwood said during the two men’s last encounter shortly after 9 p.m., Donice Scott grabbed his client by the neck in the doorway of the residence and held a 28-inch samurai sword against his client’s stomach.

In fear for his life, Martin grabbed the pistol from his waistband and tried to retreat, Underwood said. As the two men fought over the weapon, it went off at close range, striking his father. Scott was pronounced dead at Helen Keller Hospital.

There were no witnesses to the shooting, but Underwood said Martin’s cellphone was set to record and captured several minutes of the encounter.

Doug Hendon and Gary Elam testified that they knew both men and that they “fussed” with each other constantly.