Durham, North Carolina

From the Durham Herald-Sun of May 31, 2005

Grand jury rules man acted in self-defense in shooting

A grand jury ruled that the owner of a body shop acted in self-defense when he shot and killed another man in the Main Street business in March.

"They said that no further action needs to be taken," Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong said. "They found a legal excuse for the homicide."

Officers responded to a shooting call at Self Paint and Body Shop, 518 E. Main St., around 8:27 p.m. on March 13.

When they arrived, they found a man lying inside the business.

The victim, Joseph M. Reaves Jr., 26, of 511 Quartz Drive, had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Following the shooting, police searched the business and conducted a gunshot residue test on the owner of the business, Murray Self.

Investigators also seized a handgun, ownership papers for the gun, a fired bullet, a magazine with three rounds of ammunition from the gun, shell casings, a board with nails, a chair and Reaves' belongings, including cash.

Prosecutors offered grand jurors a "presentment" on the case on May 16, Nifong said.

The jury had three options: It could have called for a further investigation, it could have told the district attorney to seek an indictment against Self later or it could have directed that no criminal action be taken.

Nifong said Self could still be held liable in the killing in civil court at a later date.

"But as far as the criminal courts are concerned, he is in the clear," Nifong said.