Justice Served: What You Need to Know About the Renisha McBride Case

Theodore Wafer was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

What's Happening in the Theodore Wafer Trial? - Theodore Wafer was sentenced to at least 17 years in prison on Sept. 3, 2014, and found guilty of murder and manslaughter on August 7, 2014, in the fatal shooting of Renisha McBride, 19, an unarmed African-American woman who knocked on the door of his Dearborn Heights, Michigan, home for help in November 2013. From the time news broke of the fatal shooting to the trial and conviction, BET.com takes you inside the Renisha McBride case. — Natelege Whaley (@Natelege_), Nicole Phillip and Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News)

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What's Happening in the Theodore Wafer Trial? - Theodore Wafer was sentenced to at least 17 years in prison on Sept. 3, 2014, and found guilty of murder and manslaughter on August 7, 2014, in the fatal shooting of Renisha McBride, 19, an unarmed African-American woman who knocked on the door of his Dearborn Heights, Michigan, home for help in November 2013. From the time news broke of the fatal shooting to the trial and conviction, BET.com takes you inside the Renisha McBride case. — Natelege Whaley (@Natelege_), Nicole Phillip and Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News)

McBride’s Family Reacts - Following the guilty verdict, McBride's parents, who were not surprised by the jury’s decision, issued a statement thanking jurors. "She was a regular teenager," said her mother, Monica McBride. "She was well raised and brought up with a loving family, and her life mattered. And we showed that."(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Todd McInturf)

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McBride’s Family Reacts - Following the guilty verdict, McBride's parents, who were not surprised by the jury’s decision, issued a statement thanking jurors. "She was a regular teenager," said her mother, Monica McBride. "She was well raised and brought up with a loving family, and her life mattered. And we showed that."(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Todd McInturf)

Closing Arguments Leaves Jury With a Lot to Ponder - In closing arguments, which began on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, the prosecution reminded jurors that Wafer should not have acted as "judge, jury and executioner" when he shot McBride through the screen door of his Detroit home. Prosecutors also made a point to jurors that Wafer had other options. (Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

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Closing Arguments Leaves Jury With a Lot to Ponder - In closing arguments, which began on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, the prosecution reminded jurors that Wafer should not have acted as "judge, jury and executioner" when he shot McBride through the screen door of his Detroit home. Prosecutors also made a point to jurors that Wafer had other options. (Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

Wafer Takes the Stand - Wafer took the stand on Monday, August 4, 2014, to describe how he shot McBride in self-defense, saying he was “scared for his life.” During his two-hour cross examination, Wafer detailed how he heard the floor vibrating under his feet as McBride pounded on his door. "I was not going to cower. I didn't want to be a victim in my own house," he said. "I drew first, that's how I see it."(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

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Wafer Takes the Stand - Wafer took the stand on Monday, August 4, 2014, to describe how he shot McBride in self-defense, saying he was “scared for his life.” During his two-hour cross examination, Wafer detailed how he heard the floor vibrating under his feet as McBride pounded on his door. "I was not going to cower. I didn't want to be a victim in my own house," he said. "I drew first, that's how I see it."(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

Accidental Murderer - On the stand, Wafer claimed to prosecutors he shot McBride “in fear.” He told prosecutors during cross examination he must have disengaged the safety accidentally and hit the trigger as a result of “total reflex reaction." But jurors saw a videotaped police interview done with Wafer hours after the shooting in which he told police he forgot the gun was even loaded and his plan was just to scare McBride.(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

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Accidental Murderer - On the stand, Wafer claimed to prosecutors he shot McBride “in fear.” He told prosecutors during cross examination he must have disengaged the safety accidentally and hit the trigger as a result of “total reflex reaction." But jurors saw a videotaped police interview done with Wafer hours after the shooting in which he told police he forgot the gun was even loaded and his plan was just to scare McBride.(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

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Prosecution Shuts Down Self-Defense Claims - Prosecutors suggested that Wafer’s self-defense claim was created in attempts to have the jury find him not guilty if he acted in the “honest and reasonable” belief he feared for his life. Referencing the police interview, prosecutor Patrick Muscat quoted Wafer, telling police he was angry and "full of piss and vinegar" the night he opened fire on McBride.(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

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Prosecution Shuts Down Self-Defense Claims - Prosecutors suggested that Wafer’s self-defense claim was created in attempts to have the jury find him not guilty if he acted in the “honest and reasonable” belief he feared for his life. Referencing the police interview, prosecutor Patrick Muscat quoted Wafer, telling police he was angry and "full of piss and vinegar" the night he opened fire on McBride.(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

Race Is Brought Into the Equation - While many predicted the prosecution would bring the issue of race to the trial, it was defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter who brought the race issue before the jury. "It is not a race issue. And I'm going to say that word because nobody has mentioned it. It isn't. Ted didn't know who this was," she said.(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

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Race Is Brought Into the Equation - While many predicted the prosecution would bring the issue of race to the trial, it was defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter who brought the race issue before the jury. "It is not a race issue. And I'm going to say that word because nobody has mentioned it. It isn't. Ted didn't know who this was," she said.(Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

The Cut on McBride's Hand and A "Close Range" Shooting - Forensic pathologist Dr. Werner Spitz testified on Thursday, July 31, the cut on McBride's hand "could have come from pounding on something." The statement suggests the validity in Wafer's statement claiming that McBride had pounded on his door before she was shot. Firearms expert David Balash reports that Wafer shot McBride at close range "through a screen door." Spitz also testified that it was a close-range shooting.(Photo: The Detroit News/AP Photo)

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The Cut on McBride's Hand and A "Close Range" Shooting - Forensic pathologist Dr. Werner Spitz testified on Thursday, July 31, the cut on McBride's hand "could have come from pounding on something." The statement suggests the validity in Wafer's statement claiming that McBride had pounded on his door before she was shot. Firearms expert David Balash reports that Wafer shot McBride at close range "through a screen door." Spitz also testified that it was a close-range shooting.(Photo: The Detroit News/AP Photo)

Prosecutors Rest Their Case - Prosecutors in the second-degree murder trial rested their case Wednesday. Judge Dana Magaret Hathaway heard testimony from medical examiner Dr. Kilak Kesha, who said McBride was three feet away from Wafer's shotgun when he pressed the trigger, WXYZ reports. Another examiner, Dr. Werner Spitz, testifed that McBride had a laceration on her left hand which could have been caused by her pounding on Wafer's door, AP reports.  (Photo: AP Photo/The Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

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Prosecutors Rest Their Case - Prosecutors in the second-degree murder trial rested their case Wednesday. Judge Dana Magaret Hathaway heard testimony from medical examiner Dr. Kilak Kesha, who said McBride was three feet away from Wafer's shotgun when he pressed the trigger, WXYZ reports. Another examiner, Dr. Werner Spitz, testifed that McBride had a laceration on her left hand which could have been caused by her pounding on Wafer's door, AP reports.  (Photo: AP Photo/The Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

McBride's Whereabouts After Crash Unknown and Trigger Pull Was "Not An Accident" - McBride's whereabouts between the time she crashed her car and showed up at Theodore Wafer's porch remain unknown, detectives testified Tuesday. The defense attorney, James Bivens Jr., the chief of the Criminal Investigations Division, said there was no witnesses who saw her during that time, according to the Detroit Free Press. Wafer has said he fired his weapon in self-defense and that he didn't know that it was loaded. Detective Sgt. Shawn Kolonich testified on Tuesday, July 30, that it was not an accident when he pulled the trigger, according to the Associated Press. (Photo: Clarence Tabb Jr./The Detroit News/AP Photo)

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McBride's Whereabouts After Crash Unknown and Trigger Pull Was "Not An Accident" - McBride's whereabouts between the time she crashed her car and showed up at Theodore Wafer's porch remain unknown, detectives testified Tuesday. The defense attorney, James Bivens Jr., the chief of the Criminal Investigations Division, said there was no witnesses who saw her during that time, according to the Detroit Free Press. Wafer has said he fired his weapon in self-defense and that he didn't know that it was loaded. Detective Sgt. Shawn Kolonich testified on Tuesday, July 30, that it was not an accident when he pulled the trigger, according to the Associated Press. (Photo: Clarence Tabb Jr./The Detroit News/AP Photo)

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Renisha's Final Phone Calls - Renisha McBride did not pick up phone calls on her cellphone after her car crashed, Sam Brue, of the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives, testified in court Monday July 28, 2014, AP writes. The woman called her father around 10 p.m. and they spoke for 4 minutes and 44 minutes, he also added. (Photo: AP Photo/The Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

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Renisha's Final Phone Calls - Renisha McBride did not pick up phone calls on her cellphone after her car crashed, Sam Brue, of the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives, testified in court Monday July 28, 2014, AP writes. The woman called her father around 10 p.m. and they spoke for 4 minutes and 44 minutes, he also added. (Photo: AP Photo/The Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

McBride's Friend Says She Slurred Her Words During Call - Testimony Monday July 28 from Davonta Bynes, a friend of Renisha McBride, revealed that she was on her way to a small get-together at his home before she crashed her vehicle at 1 a.m. on Nov. 2. "I think ... she might have been drinking. She was slurring," Bynes said, according to the AP.  (Photo: AP Photo/The Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

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McBride's Friend Says She Slurred Her Words During Call - Testimony Monday July 28 from Davonta Bynes, a friend of Renisha McBride, revealed that she was on her way to a small get-together at his home before she crashed her vehicle at 1 a.m. on Nov. 2. "I think ... she might have been drinking. She was slurring," Bynes said, according to the AP.  (Photo: AP Photo/The Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

McBride's Family Emotionally Shaken by Graphic Images - During the second day of the trial, photos of McBride's body were shown as evidence. The woman's relatives showed discomfort and left the courtroom to avoid seeing the graphic images.  (Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, David Coates) 

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McBride's Family Emotionally Shaken by Graphic Images - During the second day of the trial, photos of McBride's body were shown as evidence. The woman's relatives showed discomfort and left the courtroom to avoid seeing the graphic images.  (Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, David Coates) 

McBride's Father Was Frustrated He Couldn't Reach Her - Walter Ray Simmons, Renisha's father, is pictured seated in court and listening to the court proceedings Monday. Before his daughter crashed her car, he had been trying to get in contact with her and became frustrated when she wasn't responsive, Brue said. (Photo: AP Photo/The Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

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McBride's Father Was Frustrated He Couldn't Reach Her - Walter Ray Simmons, Renisha's father, is pictured seated in court and listening to the court proceedings Monday. Before his daughter crashed her car, he had been trying to get in contact with her and became frustrated when she wasn't responsive, Brue said. (Photo: AP Photo/The Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr.)

Court in Recess Until Monday  - On Friday July 25, 2014, court was in recess. The second-degree murder trial of Theodore Wafer will reconvene Monday at 9 a.m. (Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, David Coates)

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Court in Recess Until Monday  - On Friday July 25, 2014, court was in recess. The second-degree murder trial of Theodore Wafer will reconvene Monday at 9 a.m. (Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, David Coates)

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Officer Says Wafer's Screen Door Was Damaged - On Thursday, Dearborn Heights Police Cpl. Tim Zawacki testified that the front door screen of Wafer's home was leaning out of its frame when he examined it. Wafer's attorneys are using this as evidence that McBride damaged his home. Cpl. Mark Parrinello told jurors he did not dust the doors for fingerprints until a week later. "It was an inadequate, incomplete investigation," Cheryl Carpenter said. (Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, David Coates) 

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Officer Says Wafer's Screen Door Was Damaged - On Thursday, Dearborn Heights Police Cpl. Tim Zawacki testified that the front door screen of Wafer's home was leaning out of its frame when he examined it. Wafer's attorneys are using this as evidence that McBride damaged his home. Cpl. Mark Parrinello told jurors he did not dust the doors for fingerprints until a week later. "It was an inadequate, incomplete investigation," Cheryl Carpenter said. (Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, David Coates) 

Wafer Says He Didn't Know His Gun Was Loaded - Theodore Wafer told the police that he did not know his shotgun was loaded when he fired at McBride in self-defense, according to recordings played in court Thursday. "I didn't know there was a round in there," Wafer told Sgt. Rory McManmon. "I don't get it. Who's knocking on your door at 4:30 in the morning? Bang, bang, bang — somebody wanting in," he continued, AP reports.  (Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, David Coates)

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Wafer Says He Didn't Know His Gun Was Loaded - Theodore Wafer told the police that he did not know his shotgun was loaded when he fired at McBride in self-defense, according to recordings played in court Thursday. "I didn't know there was a round in there," Wafer told Sgt. Rory McManmon. "I don't get it. Who's knocking on your door at 4:30 in the morning? Bang, bang, bang — somebody wanting in," he continued, AP reports.  (Photo: AP Photo/Detroit News, David Coates)

Prosecutor Says Wafer's Actions Were 'Unnecessary' - During opening statements July 23, Prosecutor Danielle Hagaman-Clark told the jury Wafer did not have to kill McBride. "His actions that night were unnecessary, unjustified and unreasonable," she said. She added that there was no evidence that McBride attempted to break into his property after she banged on his door. (Photo: AP Photo/The Detroit News, David Coates)

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Prosecutor Says Wafer's Actions Were 'Unnecessary' - During opening statements July 23, Prosecutor Danielle Hagaman-Clark told the jury Wafer did not have to kill McBride. "His actions that night were unnecessary, unjustified and unreasonable," she said. She added that there was no evidence that McBride attempted to break into his property after she banged on his door. (Photo: AP Photo/The Detroit News, David Coates)

Witness Says McBride 'Wanted to Go Home' - Carmen Beasley, who found McBride after she crashed her car, said she appeared to be intoxicated, bleeding and pressing her hands to her head, according to AP. "I assumed she was drunk...She just kept saying she wanted to go home," said Beasley. McBride left the scene before an ambulance came. (Photo: AP Photo)

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Witness Says McBride 'Wanted to Go Home' - Carmen Beasley, who found McBride after she crashed her car, said she appeared to be intoxicated, bleeding and pressing her hands to her head, according to AP. "I assumed she was drunk...She just kept saying she wanted to go home," said Beasley. McBride left the scene before an ambulance came. (Photo: AP Photo)

Defense Attorney Says Wafer Feared for His Life - On Wednesday, defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter told jurors that Wafer's heart was coming out of his chest when McBride banged on his door multiple times; he would eventually grab his shotgun. "There's a shadowy figure coming off the porch and going to the side of the house. He thinks it's not one person; it's two or more people," Carpenter said.   (Photo: AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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Defense Attorney Says Wafer Feared for His Life - On Wednesday, defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter told jurors that Wafer's heart was coming out of his chest when McBride banged on his door multiple times; he would eventually grab his shotgun. "There's a shadowy figure coming off the porch and going to the side of the house. He thinks it's not one person; it's two or more people," Carpenter said.   (Photo: AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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7 Women, 7 Men Will Decide Case  - Jury selection began Monday morning in the case of Theodore Wafer, 55, who shot Renisha McBride on his doorstep in Detroit on Nov. 4. He is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and use of a shotgun during the crime. Seven women and seven men — four whom are Black — will decide Wafer's case. (Photo: AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Eric Seals, File)

Photo By AP Photo/Detroit Free Press