Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
BILLINGS - A coroner's inquest jury on Wednesday determined a Billings teen acted in self-defense when he shot and killed his friend.
The Yellowstone County Attorney's Office called for the inquest, with was held held in Yellowstone County District Court.
According to police,17-year-old Seth Culver shot 15-year-old MacKeon Schulte when he and a friend threw pebbles at Culver's window on May 17.
The seven-person jury took about an hour to reach a verdict after hearing testimony throughout the day.
Lt. Bill Jones, Yellowstone County Coroner, read the verdict that was a justifiable homicide and not by criminal means.
Seven witnesses including, a juvenile, law enforcement, a paramedic and a pathologist answered questions at the day-long hearing.
The County Attorney's Office also showed pictures and played the detective's interview with Culver from the day of the shooting.
The inquest serves as an advisory or a recommendation for the County Attorney's Office.
"They looked at the issues involved in self defense," said Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito. "And we'll look at that and determine where we go from here. It's still under my authority whether I decide to file charges, but obviously I'm going to pay this coroner's jury great respect and certainly listen to what they put together today."
Twito said this may be the first coroner's inquest that was not mandatory as is the case in an officer shooting or jail death.
He compared it to a federal grand jury, but said an inquest is open to the public.
Culver's family and the family of the teen who testified were in the courtroom for the inquest.
http://www.ktvq.com/story/29721446/jury-finds-self-defense-in-fatal-shooting