SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Rick Springfield yelled and cried while on the witness stand this afternoon for the retrial of an injury lawsuit against him.

Vicki Calcagno, 45, of Liverpool, said Springfield, a 1980s pop icon and actor, struck her with his buttocks while performing in the crowd during a 2004 Chevrolet Court concert at the State Fair. She said she was knocked unconscious.

Calcagno's lawyer, Kenneth Goldblatt, called Springfield to the stand at about 2:30 p.m. Springfield accused Goldblatt of being "very aggressive" with his questions and later raised his voice and pointed at Goldblatt. Springfield said he felt that he was being called a liar.

Springfield was emotional again when his lawyer, John Pfeifer, asked him about going out into the audience to be closer to his fans. Springfield choked up and was given a tissue for his tears.

"I get emotional sometimes," Springfield said.

Springfield answered questions for more than 90 minutes often smiling and occasionally laughing. Goldblatt asked Springfield if he was a heartthrob and Springfield agreed with a smile. Goldblatt also asked Springfield if he's ever been grabbed by female fans.

Springfield said it's common for women at his concerts to "grab my butt if they're feeling a little saucy."

Springfield is best known for his hit "Jessie's Girl" and for starring on "General Hospital" in the early 1980s. The new trial is a retrial from Calcagno's 2007 lawsuit.

Calcagno claims that Springfield struck her while performing in the crowd during an Aug. 28, 2004 concert at Chevy Court. His buttocks caused "serious, disabling and permanent injuries," according to her 2007 lawsuit.

She claimed the incident left her disoriented or unconscious for at least 10 minutes, but her lawyer told jurors during the 2007 trial that it was probably less. In any event, Springfield's actions caused Calcagno serious and lasting injuries, she claimed.

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Paris declared a mistrial in 2013 when a new witness came forward. Penny Anne Nolin, of Port Byron, contacted Goldblatt during the trial to tell him that she was also knocked down by Springfield's butt during the 2004 concert.

Nolin, who was not allowed to be photographed by the media in the courtroom, testified this afternoon. Nolin said she was at the show and when Springfield entered the crowd she left her seat to get closer to take photos. She ended up directly behind Springfield as he played his guitar and sang.

Nolin testified that Springfield had one foot on the back of a metal bench and the other foot on a white fence. Nolin said Springfield fell backwards and his butt hit her forehead and she was knocked to her knees.

This image of Rick Springfield was reportedly taken by Liverpool resident Vicki Calcagno moments before she claimed Springfield fell and struck her with his rear end.

"I did not see anyone else get knocked down," she said.

Nolin said she didn't see Calcagno get knocked down or laying on the ground and she had never met Calcagno before. She also testified that she didn't know how Springfield fell and she wasn't hurt.

"I was helped up by a woman standing next to me," she said. When Nolin stood up, Springfield was making his way back to the stage, she testified.

Calcagno has not been called to the stand yet and Springfield will return to the witness stand when court resumes on Wednesday afternoon.

Ronald Grinel, Springfield's tour manager, was called to the stand first. He testified that he watches Springfield during concerts and keeps a close eye on him when he is out in the audience. Grinel said he never saw Springfield fall.

Grinel said he first met Calcagno in 2008 when he was giving a deposition for the 2007 lawsuit. At the deposition, which was held at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, Grinel said Calcagno asked for tickets to Springfield's show at the resort. Springfield also testified that Calcagno asked for concert tickets.

Calcagno has not had a chance to testify on the accusations, but Goldblatt, said Calcagno never asked for tickets, but was offered tickets.

The retrial is set to resume at 1 p.m. Wednesday and Post-Standard reporter Sarah Moses will be there to cover it live on syracuse.com.

Sarah Moses covers the northern suburbs of Onondaga County and Oswego

County. Contact Sarah at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298. Follow @SarahMoses315