Thursday, August 13, 2009

Mississippi: Robbery suspect shot in Jackson

Jackson, Mississippi

From the Clarion Ledger of August 10, 2009
Robbery suspect shot in Jackson

Police do not expect to charge a Jackson homeowner who shot and wounded a man he found breaking into his car early Sunday morning.

The name of the homeowner was not released.

About 5 a.m., a homeowner in the 200 block of East Ash St. saw two men breaking into his Chrysler Sebring parked in front of the house, Jackson Assistant Chief Lee Vance said.

The homeowner got a gun and shot one of the suspected burglars, Vance said.

Michael Evans, 26, was shot in a thigh while still inside the Sebring, he said.

The second suspect, who has not been identified, was able to get away. Police are searching for the other man.

Evans was taken to a hospital and treated for injuries that were not life-threaten-ing, Vance said.

Once Evans is released, Vance said, he will be charged in the burglary. He did not appear on the Jackson arrest docket Sunday night.

Jackson police will turn the findings from the investigation over to a Hinds County grand jury, which will determine whether the homeowner will be charged.

Vance would not say whether the case falls under the Castle Doctrine but said "the homeowner has a right to protect his property."

A number of people in Jackson have been shot or killed since the Castle Doctrine went into effect three years ago.

The Mississippi law allows property owners to use deadly force when they believe they are in imminent danger.

On Sunday afternoon, the Sebring was still parked in front of the home with the passenger window down. No one answered the door.

Greg Porter, an East Ash Street resident, said he would have done the same thing.

"You ain't got no business breaking into somebody else's car. If you do, you're looking for trouble," Porter said Sunday evening.

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