HankT
State Researcher
imported post
As reported, this seems to be a clear case of self-defense.Williams was approached by an angry guy with a gun.
Not that great of a hit ratio, though.... 4:20. But at least Williams was prepared with thebackup magazine.
June 5, 2009
[font="Times New Roman, serif"]Attorney says fatal shooting of J.D. Edwards was self-defense[/font]
[font="Times New Roman, serif"]
By RICK YENCER
[/font]
MUNCIE -- George T. Williams claims he acted in self-defense in last week's wild shoot-out in the Industry neighborhood that left another Muncie man dead.
Williams, 34, held his head up Thursday in Delaware Circuit Court 2, awaiting arraignment before Judge Richard Dailey as his friends and family -- along with relatives of slaying victim James "J.D." Edwards -- looked on.
The May 26 mid-day shooting spree, near Willard and Hackley streets, resulted in the death of 30-year-old Edwards and the slight wounding of Camisha R. Wilkerson, 21.
Williams was formally charged with murder, which carries a standard 55-year prison term, and criminal recklessness, a Class C felony with a standard four-year sentence.
Williams listened to the charges, and appeared confused by the criminal recklessness count, which Dailey had to explain to him.
The judge entered not-guilty pleas on Williams' behalf in the absence of defense attorney Louis Denney, and set trial for Oct. 19. Williams continues to be held without bond in the Delaware County jail.
During a later interview, Denney said the case was obviously one of self-defense, given that Edwards, a convicted cocaine dealer, was also armed and shot at his client.
Williams told police that he began shooting, after exchanging angry words with Wilkerson, as Edwards approached him with a gun, according to a probable cause affidavit. Wilkerson was also reportedly armed.
The defendant told police he did not know whether he or Edwards had fired the first shot. He acknowledged he emptied his 9-mm handgun's 10-bullet magazine in firing at Edwards, then reloaded and fired 10 more times.
Edwards was hit by four bullets, two in the upper back, according to an autopsy.
Some witnesses said Edwards had a gun and pointed it at Williams before the defendant pulled out his own weapon and opened fire.
The victim's family declined to comment after Thursday's hearing, as did Williams' mother and other family members.
James Lawson, pastor of Terrestrial Temple Church of God in Christ, sat in the courtroom, and offered few answers afterwards about continued violence in inner city neighborhoods.
"Several pastors are working to encourage these young men to think about what happens when they do these things," said Lawson. "You not only destroy that family, but they destroy their own family."
Edwards' death was Muncie's fourth homicide in nine weeks.
http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20090605/NEWS01/906050335
As reported, this seems to be a clear case of self-defense.Williams was approached by an angry guy with a gun.
Not that great of a hit ratio, though.... 4:20. But at least Williams was prepared with thebackup magazine.
June 5, 2009
[font="Times New Roman, serif"]Attorney says fatal shooting of J.D. Edwards was self-defense[/font]
[font="Times New Roman, serif"]
By RICK YENCER
[/font]
MUNCIE -- George T. Williams claims he acted in self-defense in last week's wild shoot-out in the Industry neighborhood that left another Muncie man dead.
Williams, 34, held his head up Thursday in Delaware Circuit Court 2, awaiting arraignment before Judge Richard Dailey as his friends and family -- along with relatives of slaying victim James "J.D." Edwards -- looked on.
The May 26 mid-day shooting spree, near Willard and Hackley streets, resulted in the death of 30-year-old Edwards and the slight wounding of Camisha R. Wilkerson, 21.
Williams was formally charged with murder, which carries a standard 55-year prison term, and criminal recklessness, a Class C felony with a standard four-year sentence.
Williams listened to the charges, and appeared confused by the criminal recklessness count, which Dailey had to explain to him.
The judge entered not-guilty pleas on Williams' behalf in the absence of defense attorney Louis Denney, and set trial for Oct. 19. Williams continues to be held without bond in the Delaware County jail.
During a later interview, Denney said the case was obviously one of self-defense, given that Edwards, a convicted cocaine dealer, was also armed and shot at his client.
Williams told police that he began shooting, after exchanging angry words with Wilkerson, as Edwards approached him with a gun, according to a probable cause affidavit. Wilkerson was also reportedly armed.
The defendant told police he did not know whether he or Edwards had fired the first shot. He acknowledged he emptied his 9-mm handgun's 10-bullet magazine in firing at Edwards, then reloaded and fired 10 more times.
Edwards was hit by four bullets, two in the upper back, according to an autopsy.
Some witnesses said Edwards had a gun and pointed it at Williams before the defendant pulled out his own weapon and opened fire.
The victim's family declined to comment after Thursday's hearing, as did Williams' mother and other family members.
James Lawson, pastor of Terrestrial Temple Church of God in Christ, sat in the courtroom, and offered few answers afterwards about continued violence in inner city neighborhoods.
"Several pastors are working to encourage these young men to think about what happens when they do these things," said Lawson. "You not only destroy that family, but they destroy their own family."
Edwards' death was Muncie's fourth homicide in nine weeks.
http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20090605/NEWS01/906050335
