| Sam was 45 year old deacon for a local church. His | | | | He saw Lonny standing there. He said, what are you |
| wife divorced him 2 years earlier and he was getting | | | | doing here Lonny? At that moment Lonny lunged |
| on with his life. He enjoyed his activities in the church | | | | toward the deacon. They both fell to the floor. The |
| very much. | | | | Deacon stuck his hand in his pocket to pull out the |
| He was an active member in the community and a | | | | gun to scare Lonny. Lonny saw the gun and grabbed |
| key figure in advising young teens on the correct | | | | his hand. They struggled and the gun went off and |
| path to take. Most of the kids took his advice | | | | shot Lonny once in the chest. |
| seriously. There were a few who resented him trying | | | | He fell over. Sam rushed to call to report the |
| to tell them how to run their own life and let him | | | | emergency. Lonny was pronounced dead at the |
| know it. | | | | scene. Sam was taken in for questioning. The police |
| There was one kid named Lonny, who even | | | | discovered the long running feud between Sam and |
| threatened Sam when he tried to give him advice. He | | | | Lonny. They also learned about Sams joking |
| told Sam he had better watch his back. He said one | | | | comments to get Lonny first. Sam was charged with |
| day you will get yours. Sam jokingly said not if you | | | | premeditated murder. |
| get yours first. Everyone heard the arguing between | | | | Sam was held for several weeks in the city jail. After |
| the two. They knew of the feud and figured it was | | | | many consultations with his attorney and a new |
| just more talk by the youngster. | | | | investigation, new evidence was presented that |
| One evening Sam was relaxing at home after a long | | | | cleared Sam of murder charges. |
| day at the church. He heard his back door slam. | | | | Sam is still recovering from the traumatic experience, |
| Although he was a churchman, he kept a gun in the | | | | but is more committed than ever to teaching |
| nightstand for self defense. He never intended on | | | | youngsters that they do have a choice. In fact he |
| using it. He figured if anything happened, he could | | | | doesnot own a firearm any more. He has decided |
| scare the criminals away just by having it. He | | | | that risk of having a gun in the house far outweighs |
| grabbed the gun and went into the other room. | | | | the benefits. |