IN: Man who shot wife's ex acted in self-defense, prosecutor says: "No charges will be filed against a Lincoln Township man who police and prosecutors say acted in self-defense when he shot and killed his wife's ex-husband in their home on Oct. 19. Bobby Masters, 34, was fatally shot at the couple's home, in the 2100 block of Lenora Drive, by Leonard Brown, 46, who said Masters was drunk and threatened him, authorities said. Brown lives at the home with his wife and his two stepdaughters, ages 14 and 17, and a 12-year-old stepson, who is Masters' son, police said. Masters had been living at the home also for a few months while he sought help for a reported alcohol and drug problem, the prosecutor's office said. Brown and Masters argued on Oct. 19 when Masters took his 12-year-old son and his 14-year-old stepdaughter fishing. When the three returned about 11 p.m., Brown said Masters had been drinking and had given alcohol to the 12- and the 14-year-olds. Brown locked Masters out of the home. Masters became enraged and kicked down a back door, threatening to kill Brown, Berrien County Prosecuting Attorney Art Cotter said in a press statement. Brown armed himself with a family shotgun that was stored in an upstairs master bedroom, authorities said. When Masters repeatedly threatened Brown, saying "you're dead," Brown retreated to a flight of steps and yelled at Masters to stop, police said. Brown said he pointed the gun at Masters who was coming at him and fired with his eyes shut. When Brown opened his eyes, Masters was standing in front of him and had grabbed the barrel of the weapon and pulled on it. Brown fired again, causing Masters to fall to the ground, Cotter said."


CA: Aggressive cop pays the price: "A use-of-force expert for Alberto Alvarez, who is on trial for the murder of East Palo Alto Police Officer Richard May, testified Thursday there was no justifiable reason for the officer to stop Alvarez on Jan. 7, 2006. May violated an East Palo Alto city ordinance against excessive use of force and a police department policy when he followed and attempted to detain Alvarez, 26, defense witness Winthrop Taylor said Thursday afternoon. May was responding to a dispatch call about a fist fight in Villa Taqueria on Cooley Avenue when he saw Alvarez walking across the taqueria's parking lot. A police Explorer on a ride-along with the officer testified Alvarez looked in the officer's direction as he crossed in front of the patrol car, then ran across University Avenue. Alvarez admitted he shot the officer during nearly five hours of testimony Thursday, but said he did so in self defense after being shot in the leg by May and fearing the officer would kill him. Taylor followed his testimony, saying May had no just cause to stop Alvarez under state and federal law. Alvarez did not fit the description of the assailant in the taqueria fight, Taylor said. U.S. Supreme Court decisions have established an officer cannot detain a person simply for running away. May also violated city ordinance and police policy when he struck Alvarez from behind twice with an ASP, an expandable metal baton, Taylor said. The use of a metal baton, considered a defensive weapon, is only to be used if a suspect is assaulting the officer, he said. "When someone is running away, is that assaultive?" Eric Liberman, defense attorney, asked."


NV: Homeowner not charged for shooting, killing home invader: "The homeowner who shot and killed an intruder at his home Thursday evening has not been charged and Las Vegas police continue to investigate possible accomplices involved in the home invasion. The slaying occurred at 1845 Sycamore Trail, near Rancho and Vegas drives, about 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Police Lt. Lew Roberts said the homeowner, whom police did not identify, didn’t know the man who kicked open the door of his home. The men engaged in a scuffle before the homeowner shot and killed the intruder. The Clark County coroner’s office identified the deceased as Mark Matthew McIsaac. The 48-year-old Henderson man died of a gunshot wound to the chest. Roberts said the case will be reviewed by the district attorney’s office. According to Clark County assessor’s office records, the home is owned by Richard Schwartz. Roberts said the homeowner and the suspect engaged in a fight in the front and back of the home. He said the homeowner used a revolver to shoot and kill the man inside the home."


IL: Sam Colt still equalizing: "Jacksie King was an elderly grandmother who lived in a small Illinois house on dead-end Gaty Avenue since her youth. At 87, she mostly stayed at home and enjoyed frequent visits from her daughter. Her life changed one December night when an unidentified intruder cut her phone lines, pried the security bars off her window and invaded her home. After severely beating her, the man robbed her house and escaped. The case was never solved. Two months later, King awoke to the sound of an intruder breaking through her storm door at 2 a.m. As before, the bars were pried off her window to access an enclosed porch, and again the phone lines were cut. King reached for her only remaining lifeline—a .38-cal. Colt revolver her daughter had given her for protection. This time the would-be victim fired, striking 49-year-old Larry Tillman in the chest, immediately dropping him on the doorstep. Terrified, King stayed in her chair for four hours, clutching her revolver, until her daughter arrived. Police later learned Tillman was a career criminal with an extensive record, including residential robbery."