Jurors weigh self-defense claim in 2021 stabbing death prosecutors called 'a rage killing'

Jurors began deliberations Thursday in the trial of a man who prosecutors say stabbed 60-year-old Michael Watley 16 times and slashed his throat in 2021 in Southeast Albuquerque.

William “Bill” Nofsinger, 61, killed Watley in what prosecutors describe as a “rage killing” during a fight in the parking lot of their apartment complex.

Nofsinger’s attorneys told jurors in closing arguments Thursday that Nofsinger acted in self defense after the larger Watley punched him in the head.

Albuquerque police were called on Sept. 19, 2021, to an apartment complex in the 1300 block of Wellesley SE, north of Gibson, where they found Watley dead outside a laundry room, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court.

The case went to the jury following a four-day trial before 2nd Judicial District Judge Stan Whitaker. Nofsinger faces a charge of second-degree murder.

Nofsinger’s attorney, Graham Dumas, told jurors that Watley refused to back off, even after Nofsinger drew out a knife. Nofsinger was backed against a wall and feared for his life, he said.

“If someone attacks you while you are holding a knife, it communicates that they are unhinged,” Dumas said in closing arguments. “Mr. Nofsinger thinks Mr. Watley is going for the knife. Mr. Nofsinger thinks that his own knife is going to be used against him.”

Nofsinger carried the knife because he was frightened of Watley, who was about 40 pounds heavier than Nofsinger, Dumas said.

“Mr. Nofsinger wants nothing to do with Mr. Watley,” Dumas said. “He’s worried about a physical confrontation with a larger man. He’s scared.”

But prosecutors argued that the extent of Watley’s injuries, including a punctured lung and a slit throat, show that Nofsinger wasn’t simply defending himself. Nofsinger was infuriated by Watley and determined to kill him with what prosecutors described as a hunting knife.

“This case is very much about self-defense,” prosecutor Stephen Lane told jurors. “Michael Watley was the man who was struggling against the use of deadly force.”

Nofsinger “did not act in self-defense,” Lane said. “This was a rage killing, 100%.”

Nofsinger told police that the day before the killing, Watley had come to his apartment, knocked on his door “aggressively” and wanted to fight, but went away, according to the criminal complaint.

A maintenance man told police that Nofsinger came by the office the day of the killing to complain about Watley, but the worker “didn’t want to get involved,” the complaint said.