Man accused of attempted murder says he was afraid of victim

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. (AP) - A Washington man says he was surprised and afraid when he shot an old acquaintance that came to his house on Halloween.

The Kitsap Sun reports (https://bit.ly/2sfedwR ) 67-year-old Raymond Short told jurors during his attempted murder trial Wednesday that he never meant to injury Robert Sears when he shot at him. He says he only wanted to fire a bullet by his ear, but mistakenly fired a bullet into Sears’ face.

Short told the jury that he was afraid of Sears since he had threatened hurt him in the past if he ever reported a crime Sears and another man were planning.

Sears said last week that he went to Short’s house to ask about buying a car. According to him, they were on friendly terms.

___

Information from: Kitsap Sun, https://www.kitsapsun.com/