Pitt County, Virginia

From the Norfolk Virginian Pilot of June 6, 2005

Shooting ruled self-defense; Hertford man won’t be charged

A Hertford man will not face charges in the April shooting death of an Elizabeth City woman because he was acting in self-defense, District Attorney Frank Parrish said.

Thomas Harvin, 49, of Hertford, fatally shot Stacy Bayles, 39, early April 6.

The incident began after Harvin arrived outside the Ivy Neck Road home of his ex-wife, Dawn Teachey.

Parrish said Bayles, a friend of Teachey, shot Harvin when he arrived. During a struggle over the gun, Bayles was shot in the head.

Bayles died from the wound, and Harvin was treated at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville and released.

“The evidence tends to indicate that the woman who would be killed had laid in wait for Mr. Harvin,” Parrish said.

Parrish said authorities do not know why Bayles shot Harvin . The investigation is continuing.