Firefighter defendant testifies in West Adams beating trial

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- An L.A. city firefighter took the stand for the first time Monday in the battery trial in which he's accused of beating a woman feeding stray cats in West Adams.

Los Angeles firefighter Ian Eulian and his mother, Lonieta Fontaine, are seen on surveillance video in a physical altercation with 47-year-old Rebecca Stafford during a heated argument in September 2013, and Eulian is seen repeatedly punching Stafford. Eulian, 38, is accused of battery causing serious bodily injury, and Fontaine, 71, is accused of accessory after the fact for lying about the incident.

"She had no disregard for just trying to communicate, or anybody around there, she just started acting like a crazy lady," said Eulian on the stand Monday.

During Monday's testimony, Eulian told the jury that he punched Stafford because he felt he had no other choice. He claims he yanked Stafford out of her vehicle during the confrontation because he feared she was armed.

"I thought she had a weapon. She was by herself in an alley known for violence at midnight, and she's already slapped me, kicked me, slapped my mother, thrown cat kibble at me, kicked my mother in the chest," said Eulian.

Eulian told the jury that's when things boiled over and he hit Stafford.

"Miss Stafford raised her leg and kicked my mother in the stomach, or in the sternum," said Eulian.

"Was it your intention to protect your mother at that moment?" the defense asked.

"Absolutely," said Eulian.

Stafford testified in court last week that she never kicked Fontaine, and that it was Eulian who pushed his mother out of the way to punch her.

Eulian claims he tried to help Stafford after hitting her, a punch that apparently left her temporarily unconscious.

"She was dazed," said Eulian. "I mean, I had just struck this woman, so she was dazed."

Stafford testified that Eulian and his mother lied to her when they helped her. She says they told her that she injured herself when she slipped and bumped her head. It was the video, she says, that proved otherwise.

Eulian is expected to return to the stand on Tuesday.

If found guilty, Eulian could go to prison for seven years.