Ross County, Ohio

From the Columbus Dispatch of December 30, 2006

Man’s shooting was self-defense, grand jury says

Ross County father killed his daughter’s boyfriend Dec. 24

A Ross County grand jury did not indict a man accused of killing his daughter’s boyfriend, saying he acted in self-defense when he shot the man who had threatened his family.

Acting Ross County Prosecutor Michael Ater said he will drop murder charges against Billy E. Moore, 46, who was arrested shortly after the Christmas Eve shooting.

Moore was accused of shooting Bradley Cassidy, 42, once in the chest. He was released from jail yesterday, Ater said.

At home yesterday, Moore said he was grateful that the charges were dropped but was truly sorry for what happened.

"It’s a terrible situation. I’d really like to apologize to (Cassidy’s) mom, his family and the neighbors," he said.

Authorities got a 911 call on Christmas Eve from Moore’s daughter, saying that she and Cassidy, with whom she had a relationship, had argued and that he threatened to burn down Moore’s home near Bainbridge. He also threatened to kill her and their young child, Ater said.

The woman ran to Moore’s house and called her father. But when Moore got to his house, the place was ransacked and he couldn’t find his daughter, Ater said.

Moore and his wife went to look for her. As they drove, Cassidy pulled his vehicle onto the road and blocked Moore’s path.

That’s when Cassidy told Moore that he had just killed Moore’s daughter and grandchild and had thrown their bodies into a ravine, prosecutors said.

Cassidy began lunging at Moore with a metal baseball bat, and Moore ran back to his truck and grabbed a pistol.

Moore told Cassidy to get away but Cassidy kept swinging at him. Moore then shot Cassidy once in the chest, prosecutors said. Cassidy was pronounced dead at Greenfield Area Medical Center.

Moore’s daughter and grandchild were found at a relative’s house and were not injured, Ater said.

"It was a very bad situation that I got put into, and I didn’t know what to do," Moore said. He said he was thankful that his daughter and 1-year-old grandson were not hurt but knows that difficult times lie ahead, especially for his grandson.

"Someday, I’m going to have to explain that I shot his father. I don’t know how I’m going to do that," Moore said.

Ater said the initial murder charge was "absolutely appropriate" based on the information authorities had at the time.