Fatal Shooting in Fla. Ruled Self-Defense
July 20, 2005 10:56 PM EDT
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The fatal shooting of two men by a tenant they were trying to evict was ruled self-defense because one of them was brandishing a gun and a chain, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

State Attorney Harry Shorstein ruled that the July 9 deaths were justifiable homicides. "That's my decision, based on the facts that I have," said Shorstein, who reviewed the case last week.

He said the victims - cousins John McPherson, 21, and Calvin Threadcraft, 26 - had a handgun and chain when they entered the home and the tenant, Melvin Wilcox, was threatened.

"The law is relatively simple," Shorstein said. "If someone enters your home and you are in fear of imminent death or great bodily harm, you can use deadly force."

The victims were shot along with landlord Pamela Batie, McPherson's sister. She survived.

Shorstein's decision didn't sit well with Leonard McPherson, father of Batie and John McPherson, and uncle to Threadcraft.

"That ain't right. He killed two people," McPherson told The Florida Times-Union on Tuesday. "That's cold-blooded murder."

Wilcox, 26, was questioned by police but not arrested.
Torog Reviewed by Torog on . Anybody here a landlord ? (don't worry about the dog,it's the tenant..) Fatal Shooting in Fla. Ruled Self-Defense July 20, 2005 10:56 PM EDT JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The fatal shooting of two men by a tenant they were trying to evict was ruled self-defense because one of them was brandishing a gun and a chain, a prosecutor said Wednesday. State Attorney Harry Shorstein ruled that the July 9 deaths were justifiable homicides. "That's my decision, based on the facts that I have," said Shorstein, who reviewed the case last week. He said the victims - cousins John Rating: 5