A 65-year-old man stabbed a 35-year-old woman to death in a lovers' spat that turned deadly, according to a deputy city prosecutor.

The suspect's attorney says the killing was in self-defense.

Joel C. Allen is on trial in Circuit Court for second-degree murder for the July 17, 2008, stabbing of Jaylynn Namauu. The two were sitting in Allen's parked car under the Keeaumoku Street overpass next to Cartwright Neighborhood Park.

Namauu was a transgender female whose legal first name was Jason.

Allen had a relationship with Namauu and had had relationships with other transgender females, deputy city prosecutor Darrell Wong said Friday in court.

“;They were a cozy couple for many months. There is no doubt they were intimate with each other,”; he said.

Wong said Allen stabbed Namauu four times, one of which punctured one of Namauu's lungs, causing her to bleed to death. Namauu also had cuts on her arms and legs that Wong described as defensive wounds. He said only Allen and Namauu know the reason for their spat and what caused it to escalate to murder.

Allen's lawyer Donald Wilkerson said there was no spat. He said a drug-crazed Namauu attacked Allen after Allen refused to give him $250 to buy more drugs.

“;(Namauu) turned around and hit him in the face, grabbed his face and started clawing at his face. Then (Namauu) started beating Mr. Allen,”; Wilkerson said.

The Honolulu medical examiner said it found methamphetamine in Namauu's system and listed it as a contributing factor in the death.

Wilkerson said police also found drug paraphernalia in Namauu's purse.

Allen ran from the car after bystanders intervened.

Wong said the bystanders halted the stabbing.

Wilkerson said the bystanders saved Allen from further attack by Namauu.