Grand jury declines to indict teen in May shooting death :: 08/08/2015

MCDONOUGH — A Henry County grand jury declined to indict a Locust Grove teenager in the May shooting death of his sister’s boyfriend.

According to Henry County Superior Court records, the grand jury returned a no bill of indictment against Jared Lyon, 15, during its July 9 session.

Grand jurors rejected the charges of voluntary manslaughter and felony murder in the shooting death of Dalton McCollough. Henry County police Capt. Joey Smith said McCollough, 17, drove to the Lyon home on Wyckliffe Drive house to meet with his girlfriend.

The two began arguing and a second male teen, later identified as Lyon, shot McCollough, said Smith.

Lyon maintained he acted in defense of himself and his sister. He was represented by Christopher E. Chapman of Smith, Welch, Webb and White Law Firm in McDonough. The law firm released a statement about the shooting after Lyon was charged as an adult.

“Our client and his sister both assert that he acted in self-defense,” the statement reads. “Following a loud altercation with the juvenile’s sister, Dalton McCollough grabbed the juvenile’s sister in an aggressive manner. After being told to leave the property several times, Dalton armed himself with a baseball bat and was in the process of attacking the juvenile and attempting to enter the family home, through the garage, when he was shot.”

Chapman’s statement asserts that McCollough was known to be violent.

“Dalton McCollough has a history of violent behavior and has made threats to our client in the past,” the statement alleged.

Lyon cooperated with the police investigation, said his attorney.

“Our client has cooperated with law enforcement officers since the time of the incident and has given detailed statements of the incident and given consent for all requested evidence from law enforcement,” according to the statement. “He has cooperated with the advice and consent of his attorney, who was present during the interview and investigation.

“Our client and his attorney will continue to cooperate with law enforcement to assist in the collection of facts and information concerning this matter,” the statement continued. “We are confident that when the full picture of this incident is seen, that it will be a case of self-defense and that our client was justified in his actions.”

At the time of his death, McCollough was a senior at Hampton High School where he was a member of the wrestling team.

http://www.henryherald.com/news/2015/aug/07/grand-jury-declines-to-indict-teen-in-may/