Benjamin Waddle

Testimony is expected to continue tomorrow in Limestone County in the case of a man charged with fatally stabbing his friend during an argument, according to Limestone County District Attorney Brian Jones.

Benjamin Cordell Waddle, 29, is charged with murder in the Aug. 3, 2015, death of 35-year-old Michael Antonio Peoples. According to investigators, Waddle and Peoples had been smoking marijuana at a friend’s house in the 11000 block of Stewart Road in the Tanner community when they began arguing over who had the most money.

“Both subjects agreed to go outside to fight,” said Limestone County Sheriff’s Deputy Stephen Young at the time of the incident. “On the way out the door, Waddle allegedly stabbed Peoples in the back.”

First responders arrived to find Waddle tending to the victim’s wound. Peoples was transported to Athens-Limestone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Jury selection in the trial began 9 a.m. Wednesday in Limestone County Circuit Court in Athens, Jones said. Testimony ended for the day by 4:45 p.m. and is expected to resume 9 a.m. Thursday, he said.

Waddle has remained free on a $75,000 bond since shortly after his initial arrest in August 2015.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Waddle faces a sentence of 10 to 99 years or life in state prison.