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Attorney Says Murder At Park Was Case Of Self-Defense

Monday, November 16, 2009

Attorney Matt Brown said Monday a fatal shooting at Riverside Park on Nov. 5 was a case of self-defense, noting that Edward Jackson III was being beaten by two other men.

However, prosecutor said the 18-year-old Jackson came to the park armed with a semi-automatic handgun. He said it was a jury question whether he is found guilty of criminal homicide, a lesser charge, or exonerated.

General Sessions Court Judge David Bales bound the case to the Grand Jury on the criminal homicide count.

He said he was "another case involving the plethora of guns, many of them unregistered, in our community."

Antonio Green was fatally shot at the park on Queens Drive off Amnicola Highway. Artie Watson, who was with Green, is charged with attempted aggravated robbery.

Judge Bales agreed to lower the bond from $250,000 to $50,000 after testimony from the defendant's father, Edward Jackson Jr., who is a lieutenant in the Chattanooga Fire Department. He said his son has no criminal record, has a job and is active in church.

He said his son is "very mild and meek" and said he was surprised to learn he had a gun.

Darryl Williams said he drove his 1993 Suburban to the park and Jackson pulled up a short time later and got into his vehicle.

He said they were talking when Green and Watson walked up. He said he was watching a nearby basketball game and not paying much attention as the two men argued with Jackson.

He said Green then began punching Jackson in the face and dragged him out of the vehicle. He said Green got Jackson on the ground and began kicking him.

He said when Jackson was pulled out of the vehicle he heard a gun he had with him fall out.

Williams said he heard someone say, "He's got a gun," and he said all three of the men went for the weapon and Jackson got it. He said he was getting ready to go try to break up the fight when he heard shots fired.

He said Jackson ran off. He said Green was bleeding from the mouth, and he helped him into Watson's car.

Willie Davenport said he was playing basketball when he heard shots ring out. He said he ran for cover in a nearby bathroom.

He said he also later helped the injured Green into the vehicle. He said Green was crouched over and bleeding.

Detective Karl Fields said he went to Erlanger Hospital and found that Green had died from a shot to the chest.

He said he then went to Parkridge Hospital, where Jackson was taken. He said he had large knots on his head and blood in his hair and coming out of his ears. He said his left arm was in a sling.

He said Jackson told of being beat up by Green and said Watson also joined in the attack. He said he then went for the gun, clutched it to his side and began shooting.

He said Watson got the gun from him and fired several shots at him as he ran off.

Police found six Winchester shell casings at the park along with blood in the street.


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