Testimony in the joint trial of two men accused in the 2007 shooting of 7-year-old Brianna Pratt concluded Wednesday after one of the defendants took the stand.

From the witness chair, Angel "Fly" Serrano admitted to being a "womanizer" and previously lying under oath, but he denied being involved in the alleged gunbattle that critically injured Brianna.

Serrano and Brandon "B-More" McPherson, both 25, are charged with attempted homicide and other felonies in the Jan. 4, 2007, incident on West Andrew Street. An errant bullet struck Brianna in the back as she walked home with her mother.

During more than two hours of testimony, Serrano admitted to "leading on" one of his girlfriends so she would support an alibi at trial.

He also admitted to lying at a July suppression hearing and to a pair of city police detectives who questioned him last year in connection with the shooting.

"I was scared," Serrano said. "I took unnecessary steps of trying just to cover my (expletive)."

Witnesses previously testified that both defendants admitted to firing shots on the block where Brianna was wounded. According to testimony, McPherson told police on Jan. 29, 2007, that he and Serrano both had fired handguns.

There has been no testimony to indicate who fired the shot that struck Brianna. Investigators found only one of the two guns allegedly used in the shooting.

Roger Renteria, McPherson's attorney, didn't call any witnesses. He claimed in opening statements that McPherson fired shots in the air in self-defense and without specific intent to strike anyone.

Serrano testified Wednesday that he was trying to buy marijuana with McPherson in the area on the day of the shooting.

However, he said he was unarmed and heard gunshots as he walked onto South Queen Street. He said he didn't look back, but instead ran away, with McPherson catching up to him later.

He testified that McPherson told him, "Did you hear that? They're trying to (expletive) kill me."

Serrano said he ran with McPherson to a home on Atlantic Avenue.

"I was a little scared. I was with someone who people (were) trying to kill," Serrano testified.

When asked if he was armed or had ever touched the silver revolver that police allege was fired at the scene, Serrano said, "I have never touched a handgun."

During intense cross-examination, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Miller pressed Serrano on his infidelities. The attorney also asked Serrano about his efforts to have an ex-girlfriend, Brittany Walter, supply him with an alibi.

Walter testified previously that Serrano sent Walter letters and called her with specific instructions on what she should tell police. The alibi was false, Walter testified.

"She lied for you to help you out, which was your plan and intention for her?" Miller asked him.

"That's correct," Serrano replied.

Miller also probed Serrano's love life since his release from state prison two weeks before the Pratt shooting. Serrano said Wednesday that he was seeing several women in that brief period.

"I had numerous female friends that I may have been sexually active with," Serrano said. "I was a scandalous pervert, a very sexually active person."

Miller asked why Serrano lied to his female acquaintances about his whereabouts.

"I didn't want them to know about each other," he said. "I was just having sex with all of them. (In prison) I hadn't had sex in close to a year. I was actually a little horny."

That reply was one of several statements Serrano made that raised eyebrows in Judge Howard F. Knisely's courtroom.

Serrano also said he grew 6 inches and gained 70 pounds during his time in state prison.

Miller closed his cross-examination with a discussion of Serrano's initial police interview.

Prosecutors allege Serrano fled to Florida to escape the charges relating to the shooting. He was taken into custody there on Feb. 14, 2007, and interviewed five days later.

During that interview, Serrano denied knowing people who police had learned were his acquaintances, most notably McPherson.

"I believed I was being badgered and accused," Serrano said. "That's why I fabricated."

Defense attorney Michael Marinaro, who had directed his client not to testify, asked Serrano why he didn't confess if he was involved in the shooting.

"Why would I?" Serrano replied. "If I did it — I always take ownership for what I've done."

E-mail: bhambright@lnpnews.com