Dunn, North Carolina

From the October 12, 2005 Dunn Daily Record:

A judge found no probable cause yesterday for a charge of assault against Bradley Hines of Dunn, who shot Robert Surles at an auto repair shop in August.

Mr. Hines, 31, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury for shooting the 42-year-old Mr. Surles in the stomach. Mr. Surles said he was shot as he left his shop for the day. Mr. Hines said he was defending himself against an ambush when he visited Mr. Surles to collect some money.

Parrish Daughtry, who represented Mr. Hines along with Gerald Hayes, said District Court Judge Marcia Stewart found no probable cause for the charge in Lillington District Court Tuesday after hearing testimony from Mr. Surles.

“The state put on the alleged victim,” Mrs. Daughtry said. “He told his story and the judge just didn’t believe it.”

Mr. Surles spent a month in the hospital and suffered injuries to his stomach, lungs and small intestines that require ongoing medical care. There was also evidence Mr. Hines was struck on the head, according to the police report.