Tazewell, Tennessee



From the Knoxville News-Sentinel of March 31, 2004:

Tazewell man acquitted in road rage case



A Tazewell man who admitted shooting and killing an Alabama truck driver after a road rage incident in Hamblen County last year was acquitted Tuesday afternoon of four charges related to the shooting.



Patrick Marsh was found not guilty after a two-day trial in Hamblen County Criminal Court. Jurors spent nearly three hours deliberating before deciding the 47-year-old Marsh acted in self-defense when he pulled his pistol and shot Billy Ray Snipes near Exit 8 off Interstate 81.



Marsh's attorney, Herbert S. Moncier, said that on Feb. 11, 2003, Snipes ran Marsh off the highway with his tractor-trailer while the two were driving. Snipes then motioned Marsh off the highway "like there was some type of collision," Moncier said.



After the two exited their vehicles, an argument began. Marsh told authorities Snipes attacked him.



"He was cursing (Marsh), and then (Snipes) swung a punch," Moncier said.



That's when Marsh pulled his gun and shot Snipes, who died shortly afterward. Marsh was arrested, charged and released on $50,000 bond. He was acquitted Tuesday of voluntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, negligent homicide and second-degree murder.



"He was very pleased and appreciative," Moncier said of Marsh. "He expressed remorse to the Snipes family and was very gracious."

...



Bell said the issue of self-defense was the central focus of the trial.



"The jury obviously studied it very carefully, and I compliment them on their hard work," Bell said.



...



Moncier said Marsh plans to put the incident behind him and return his attention to running his antiques business in Tazewell