Winslow, Arkansas



From the Springfield, MO News-Leader of June 13, 2004

Prosecutor: Homeowner may be protected by defense law



The Washington County prosecutor says a homeowner who shot an intruder to death Thursday may be protected by Arkansas' home defense law.



Homeowner Randy Grizzle, 55, was not arrested or charged after he told police that he had shot an intruder who was trying to flee.



The intruder turned out to be former neighbor Carl Worden, who was already in his parked car trying to get away when Grizzle shot him once in the chest with his hunting rifle.



Prosecutor Terry Jones said any charges brought against Grizzle would test the state law that justifies deadly force when someone is protecting his or her home during a break-in.



"We'll have to look at this through the eyes of someone who lives in the country and is several minutes to an hour away from response by a police officer," Jones said.



Winslow is situated along Highway 71 between Fayetteville and Ft. Smith.



Jones said that the law could extend to justifying deadly force even when the intruder is outside the home.



Grizzle lives in a converted barn on a dirt road.

No subsequent stories about this incident were found.