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Father Takes Stand In Uzi Death Trial

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- The father of an 8-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself with an Uzi submachine gun at a gun fair has taken the stand in the trial of a former police chief charged in the death.

Dr. Charles Bizilj, of Ashford, Conn., said in early testimony that there was great excitement about going to the event and that he had first heard about it months before.

WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reports.

Former Pelham, Mass. Chief Edward Fleury, whose company co-sponsored the 2008 gun fair, is charged with manslaughter in the death of Christopher Bizilj of Ashford, Conn. He has pleaded not guilty.

Earlier Thursday, Gary Hobaica, a nurse who works with Dr. Bizilj, testified he was taking pictures of Christopher when he heard a gunshot.

Hobaica said he saw the boy on the ground with his father trying to control the bleeding.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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