Rochester, New York

From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle of April 8, 2005

Man acquitted of murder in gunfight

In its second day of deliberations, a jury Thursday acquitted a Rochester man of murdering another man in front of his home last year.

George Ellis, 37, of Fourth Street was found not guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in connection with the April 23 shootings of Pacer Williams, 35, of Clifford Avenue, and Clarence Robinson Sr., 57, of Parsells Avenue. Williams died from his injuries.

Ellis, who testified at his trial, claimed he acted in self-defense. Ellis had been involved with an argument with tenants earlier in the night.

"The testimony was he was ambushed by the decedent's family," said defense lawyer Lawrence Kasperek. "Relatives of the tenants showed up after the altercation, and when he returned, he was fired upon."

Kasperek said witnesses reported multiple gunshots were fired. Ellis went inside and returned with a long gun and returned fire, he said. Ellis had been free on bail during his trial, which began March 28.