Michigan Supreme Court looking at Renisha McBride porch shooting trial

(WJBK) - A Dearborn Heights man convicted of murder in a high-profile trial will have his case heard by the Michigan Supreme Court.

The justices will hear arguments Thursday by the attorney of Theodore Wafer as he seeks a new trial.

Back in 2013, Wafer shot and killed 19-year-old Renisha McBride through a screen door. McBride was drunk and had crashed her car earlier that night. Wafer says he was awakened by pounding at his door.

He said he thought someone was breaking into his home and feared for his life. However, the judge in his case ruled there wasn't evidence to support that and the jury convicted him of second-degree murder. Wafer, now 58, was sentenced to at least 17 years in prison.

The Supreme Court will decide if jury instructions violated Wafer's rights, and if he should get an appeal because of that.

The trial judge explained self-defense to the jury, but Wafer wanted her to tell jurors that he shot McBride because he believed she was breaking into his house -- a key distinction. 

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 2 for updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.