Dakota Hughes

The jury in the trial of a 23-year-old Eau Claire man charged in last year’s shooting death of his mother’s boyfriend began deliberating Thursday after attorneys presented closing arguments.

The district attorney’s office is seeking a first-degree murder conviction of Dakota B. Hughes in the March 3 death of Seth G. Smith, 27, of Venango County.

Hughes, who testified Wednesday, admitted to shooting Smith, but claimed it was an act of self-defense.

In closing arguments, Hughes' attorney asked the jury for mercy and the district attorney's office said Hughes carried out a premeditated plan to kill Smith.