Joseph Killins, 41, testified that he was in a consensual relationship with the woman who accuses him of kidnapping and sexually assaulting her on April 18, 2023, while she was delivering a pizza. Killins acknowledged using his left hand to push the woman's head but insisted the sexual act was voluntary. Prosecutors contend the victim was held at gunpoint and that Killins later shot the victim's girlfriend's twin sister during a confrontation; Killins says the girlfriend fired the shot. He also faces a separate robbery charge; closing arguments are set for Thursday.
DoorDash Driver Trial: Defendant Says Victim Was His Girlfriend, Denies Kidnapping and Shooting
Joseph Killins testifies on Aug. 13, 2026. (Court TV)
TAMPA, Fla. — Joseph Killins, 41, testified on Aug. 13, 2026, in his own defense, telling jurors he was in a consensual relationship with the woman who alleges he kidnapped and sexually assaulted her while she was delivering a pizza on April 18, 2023.
Defense Account
Killins, who faces charges including sexual battery, armed kidnapping and attempted first-degree murder, was the sole defense witness after the alleged victim testified earlier that he held her at gunpoint, forced her to drive to an apartment complex and compelled her to perform oral sex.
On the stand, Killins said he and the woman had been seeing each other for several months and arranged to meet on the day in question. He described her greeting him enthusiastically, wrapping her arms and legs around him. "I hold her up a little bit with my two hands, placing on the left and right side of her buttocks and carried her a little bit," he testified.
Killins said he initially sat behind the woman in the driver's seat because the front passenger area was cluttered with water bottles. He told jurors he later stopped at his grandmother's house to remove the bottles, then told the woman he wanted to end the relationship. He said she begged him to stay, he agreed and then fell asleep in the car.
Disputed Sexual Encounter
Killins told the jury he woke up at an apartment complex and the woman performed oral sex voluntarily. He argued it would be unlikely for someone to hold another person at gunpoint and force that act. However, during cross-examination, Assistant State Attorney Jessica Couvertier pressed him about the mechanics of the encounter. When asked whether he had forced the woman's head downward, Killins corrected the prosecutor's question and acknowledged he used his left hand; when asked directly if he used his left hand to force her head down on his penis, he answered, "Yes."
Killins: "Anybody in their right mind ain't finna hold somebody at gunpoint and force them to perform oral sex on them. That'd be kind of crazy."
Confrontation and Shooting
Investigators previously testified that the alleged victim's girlfriend tracked her location while she was delivering the pizza. Prosecutors say the girlfriend and her twin sister arrived carrying a baseball bat and that Killins shot the sister in the head during the confrontation. Killins disputes that account, saying he was the target: "She tried to shoot me, but she messed up and shot her sister," he testified. When the prosecutor challenged that version, Killins interrupted, shouting, "You tellin' a lie!"
Additional Charges and Defense Denial
Killins also faces a robbery charge tied to an alleged attack on a woman at the same apartment complex the next day. He denied that assault, saying he did not see the woman and therefore did not commit the robbery. Court records note Killins has nine prior felony convictions, including three convictions for crimes involving dishonesty.
Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Photo caption: Joseph Killins testifies on Aug. 13, 2026. (Court TV)
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