Albion, Michigan

From Kalamazoo’s WWMT.com of November 10, 2006

Fatal shooting may have been self-defense

Police in Albion say a local business owner who shot and killed a man in front of his store yesterday morning may have done so in self-defense.

The shooting happened at J.P. Auto Sales on Bemer Street.

Police say business owner Frank Murphey was confronted by an acquaintance, 56-year-old Joe Lee Miles.

"They were out in the parking lot in front of the business," explained Det. Lt. Scott Kipp of the Albion Department of Public Safety. "The gentleman was trying to get away from the person."

Miles rented an apartment from Murphey but police did not say if that's what the disagreement was about. "(Murphey) pulled the gun out, told (Miles) to step back. The guy still came toward him, so he fired a shot and hit him in the chest," Kipp said.

Autopsy results show Joe Lee Miles died of the gun shot wound.

Kipp says Miles had a history of assault. Police say Murphey may have acted in self-defense. He has a concealed weapon permit to carry the .32-caliber revolver police say he used in the shooting.

Police arrested Murphey after the shooting, but later released him.

Detectives plan on turning their final report in to prosecutors on Monday.