DA: Pittsburgh tow truck driver who shot rival acted in self-defense

[TowNews]

 

Prosecutors will not pursue criminal charges against a tow truck driver who shot and paralyzed a rival during a fight over territory earlier this year in Pittsburgh’s Highland Park.

 

Fred Rabner, attorney for Jerald Robinson, said the District Attorney’s Office has indicated there will be no criminal charges filed against his client, Jerald Robinson.

 

Robinson and another tow truck driver, Jason Stotlemeyer, responded to a crash on Washington Boulevard about 3:40 p.m. Feb. 2, police said at the time.

 

The two began to argue, and Stotlemeyer retrieved a baseball bat from his truck. Robinson shot him, according to police.

 

Mike Manko, a spokesman for the District Attorney’s Office, said prosecutors examined the evidence and determined the shooting was justifiable self-defense.

 

Rabner said he and his client believed from the beginning that this would be the outcome.

 

“We all felt from the beginning that (the shooting) was appropriate,” Rabner. “That bat is a deadly weapon in the eyes of the law, and naturally you have the right to defend yourself from the use of deadly force. (Robinson) has been very calm because he’s felt like he’s had the truth on his side.”

 

Casey White, attorney for Stotlemeyer, could not immediately be reached for comment.

 

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