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Malta Bend man tells deputy 'I shot the old TV'

Thursday, May 22, 2008
By ERIC CRUMP/Editor
A Malta Bend man was arrested late Wednesday, May 21, after allegedly firing a gun at a woman, hitting a television set she was watching, according to a report from Saline County Sheriff's Department.

The woman told a sheriff's deputy that she was watching television shortly before 11 p.m. and the man told her to turn it off.

When she didn't, he fired a gun, hitting the television with the shot. She fled the residence and reported hearing another shot fired as she drove away, according to the report.

Officers who investigated the incident reported the man appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, although a breath analysis conducted after he was taken into custody registered less than the legal limit of 0.08.

According to the report, the suspect admitted he "shot the old TV."

A search of the residence turned up the damaged television, a 12-gauge shotgun and two spent shell casings.

The man is being held at Saline County Justice Facility pending formal charges of unlawful use of a weapon, a class D felony.

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If you possess a firearm while you are intoxicated, and the state has determined that .08 is the limit, then you can be charged with unlawful use of a weapon. It does not matter whether you are in your home or not. He committed an act of violence infront of a companion which can also fall under the Adult Abuse Act. Just get the facts before you yap about it.....

-- Posted by IPOH on Thu, May 29, 2008, at 9:47 AM

Here is the Missouri statute on unlawful use of weapons:

http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C500-599...

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Fri, May 23, 2008, at 5:21 PM

"The suspect was taken into custody for discharging a firearm twice, possibly at a person."

Do we really know that? The facts I read said he shot the tv and she heard another shot while driving away. Do we need to assume that he was shooting at her because he got the gun out?

And I'm also confused as to why it's an issue how much you drink in your own home or whether or not you shoot at your own property on your own property? Can anyone enlighten me? Does this mean I can't take a knife to my own mattress? I suppose it's alright as long as no one reports me to Saline County, right? *rolls eyes*

It all seems rather over-reactive to me.

-- Posted by Injesstice on Fri, May 23, 2008, at 3:09 PM

where in the story does it say he aimed it AT her?

-- Posted by in bloom on Fri, May 23, 2008, at 11:08 AM

Here's an update on this story:

http://www.marshallnews.com/story/140737...

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Fri, May 23, 2008, at 10:35 AM

Wasn't it just a couple of months ago that some chap shot a hole in the side of his mobile home attempting to run a cable for his tv? His wife was killed. People thought it was a hoot. Yet the woman's family and friends were devastated by her death.

In this case, he was angry with his wife, and aimed the gun at her. Fortunately, he missed and she was able to escape the house. Perhaps, he should be charged with abuse.

His "rights" to drink and shoot a gun in a home end, when someone is the object of his ire.

-- Posted by upsedaisy on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 11:15 PM

Outsider - The suspect was taken into custody for discharging a firearm twice, possibly at a person. With his consent, he was given a breath test, the results of which were indicated in the sheriff's department report. I used the wording "under the legal limit" which applies to driving under the influence, and which is not a part of the charges against him at this time. I apologize for the confusion.

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 6:23 PM

Only in Saline county......

-- Posted by tigger2118 on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 5:35 PM

They say he tested "under the legal limit"...legal limit for what? I didn't realize there was a legal limit for life in general.

-- Posted by outsider on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 4:36 PM

ha ha ha i think its funny she prob watch something stupid .and lets have a moment of silence for the poor tv.

-- Posted by jamesjrmo on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 4:05 PM

mtown: HAH HAH!! I thought the exact same thing!

...Now, reckless discharge of a gun; that's what the officers are claimin'. Bubba hollered out "RECKLESS HELL! I hit just where I was aimin'!!"

At least he spared the jukebox:)

-- Posted by Smokin' Cheetah on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 3:21 PM

The arrest report on this incident states the suspect was tested for alcohol. The story also says he tested UNDER the legal limit, not over it, and that he agreed to the testing.

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 2:57 PM

It must have played a sad song, that made him cry. So he went to his truck and got a....12 gauge? Where's the 45?

-- Posted by mtownresident on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 2:50 PM

ok he was over the legal limit to be sitting in his home.i am confused about this.i was unaware we have restrictions on how drunk we can be when we are at home.

-- Posted by once_removed on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 1:59 PM

If he was still watching an old tv, it should have been shot. Maybe if he had a flat panel he would have thought twice.

-- Posted by kt_01 on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 12:29 PM

Someone should call Jerry Springer.

-- Posted by Hombre on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 12:19 PM

I wonder if his name is BUBBA??? Can't even shoot your own T.V these days. What is the world comming to??

-- Posted by nomad on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 11:02 AM

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