( CNN ) -- A Detroit-area man who claimed he accidentally shot and killed a 19-year-old woman he thought was breaking into his home will stand trial on a charge of second-degree murder , a judge ruled Thursday . District Court Judge David Turfe said there was enough probable cause for Theodore Paul Wafer , 54 , to stand trial in connection with the November 2 shooting of Renisha McBride , who authorities say was intoxicated and possibly disoriented following a car crash before Wafer shot her on his Dearborn Heights porch . `` Defendant came to the door with the shotgun , Turfe said , according to CNN Michigan affiliate WXYZ . `` His first thought was to bring the gun , not call for help , or not answer the door . It suggests to this court , the defendant made a bad choice . '' A friend of McBride told the court that she and the victim had been playing a drinking game with vodka and smoking marijuana the night of the shooting . Wafer 's next court appearance is scheduled for January 15 . Wafer , whose lawyer said he shot the victim in self-defense , was charged with second-degree murder last month after days of pressure from McBride 's relatives seeking an arrest . He also was charged with manslaughter and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony . Wafer told investigators he thought McBride was breaking into his home , and that the shotgun accidentally discharged when he investigated , police said . McBride was unarmed and there was no evidence of a break-in , so Wafer -- who authorities say shot McBride from behind a closed , locked screen door -- can not lawfully claim he needed to shoot her to stop an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm , Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy told reporters last month . `` I am saying we do not believe he acted in lawful self-defense , '' Worthy said .
Court rules that Detroit - area man will stand trial on a charge of second - degree murder . Theodore Paul Harris shot and killed Renisha McBride on his Sterling Heights street . The McBride 's family pushed for an investigation . Wafer 's attorney says his client acted in self - defense .