Lawyers sum up in assault case

Jurors were asked Wednesday during closing arguments to decide whether the longtime martial arts instructor for former Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona was protecting himself or consumed with rage when he pulled a gun during a golf course dispute.

Raymond Yi was characterized by a prosecutor as a man who completely lost his cool after a member of the foursome playing in front of him hit Yi’s ball into a water hazard and refused to retrieve it.

Defense attorney John D. Barnett says Yi was acting in self-defense after a golf club was swung in his direction.

Yi is charged with assault with a firearm and making criminal threats.

-- Christine Hanley