Grand Jury: Man was 'standing his ground' in shootout :: 09/03/2015

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - A grand jury determined that a man was acting in self defense when he shot and killed another man during an argument.

A grand jury returned a No Bill Wednesday, clearing Arthur Bell of charges in the shooting.

It happened when several shots were fired in the parking lot of the Brothers Corner Store on Aug. 26.

Prosecutors say Richard J. Butler fired shots at Arthur Bell, and Bell fired shots back at Butler.

Bell was hit in the kidney, but survived.  Butler was hit in the head and hand, and was killed instantly.

A grand jury watched the entire incident on video from surveillance, and decided that Bell would not be charged criminally.

"The evidence was pretty direct about what happened, and from that evidence the Grand Jury was able to determine that Arthur Bell acted in self defense, and appropriate stand your ground stance," said Dougherty District Attorney Greg Edwards.

Under Georgia law, Bell had the right to shoot back and defend himself.

"You don't have to retreat," Edwards explained, "and you may defend yourself with deadly force against deadly force being presented against you."

Butler's cousin, Richard M. Butler was indicted for aggravated assault and trafficking in cocaine.

Prosecutors said Butler picked up his cousin's gun and ran down the street, shooting at Bell as he drove away.

John Johnson was indicted for tampering with evidence and hiding Bell's gun.

It was an argument inside the store that led to the shoot out, but prosecutors did not reveal what the argument was about.

Prosecutors said they were not sure about the health of Arthur Bell, but that he was recovering from a bullet wound.

http://www.myfoxal.com/story/29944788/grand-jury-man-was-standing-his-ground-in-shootout