Macon, Georgia



From the Macon Telegraph of August 15, 2004

Macon man acquitted in Village Green fatal shooting



A Bibb County jury found a Macon man not guilty late Friday night in a December 2003 shotgun slaying in the Village Green neighborhood.



After deliberating about six hours, the jury acquitted Marshal Lee Wright, 60, on charges of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, said Wright's attorney, Althea Buafo.

…

On Dec. 12, Wright fatally shot Freddie Johnson, 37, in front of Wright's home at 2997 Deeb Drive.

…

Johnson was trying to break up a fight that spilled into Wright's yard, witnesses said.



When Wright told the men to leave, Johnson pushed Wright in the face and told him to mind his own business, according to the police report.



Johnson threatened to shoot Wright's house and harm him, so Wright went inside and got a shotgun, Buafo said.



Once Wright had the gun, Johnson approached him and told Wright to shoot, she said.



"Mr. Wright's perception was that this person was dangerous," Buafo said.



Although police did not find a weapon on Johnson, Wright believed he was armed and fired the gun to defend his home and family, she said.



During the trial, Buafo said she called witnesses to testify about the criminal activity in the neighborhood and Wright's reputation as a "hard working, middle-class American," who recently retired after 32 years at Armstrong World Industries.

…

Many of those testifying for the prosecution had been convicted of prior illegal activity, Felton said.



Johnson had been arrested 21 times, mostly on drug charges, Lt. David Davis of the Bibb County Sheriff's Office said in December.