Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
A grand jury has declined to indict a Salem woman who was accused of shooting a man in the forehead July 22, according to Marion County Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gardiner, who said she filed paperwork Thursday morning.
The paperwork, known as a not-true bill, dismisses charges against a defendant when a grand jury does not find enough evidence to charge them.
Cassie Dunlap, 28, was formally charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon July 23 after police say they responded to the 4300 block of Burlington Loop NE around 3 a.m and found 26-year-old Gurpreet Singh with a gunshot wound.
Singh was taken to Salem Hospital with life-threatening injuries, Salem Police said.
"The grand jury was presented with all of the information from the case as well as the laws on self-defense, and the use of deadly force in conjunction with self defense, and how those laws applied to the charges against her, and they decided not to indict," Gardiner said.
According to Gig Wyatt, Dunlap's attorney, the shooting was determined to be self-defense.
The two had a romantic relationship, according to Wyatt, who said Singh entered Dunlap's house sometime after 1 a.m. and became abusive before Dunlap grabbed her gun and shot Singh. The investigation determined that the shooting took place at close range.
"She felt he was a threat and shot him," Wyatt said. "In the forehead, through and through."
Wyatt said he believed Singh's condition had improved since the shooting and he had been moved from the intensive care unit at Salem Hospital to a care facility for rehab.
Salem Hospital spokesman Mark Glyzewski said the hospital had no information to release about Singh.
Gardiner said the case was rare.
"The timing and the way we revealed information in conjunction with the crime — it's a unique situation," Gardiner said.
Court documents indicate Dunlap posted bail and was released from jail Aug. 4. According to Wyatt, the charges will officially be dropped after a Marion County judge signs a motion to dismiss all charges.
Email aroemeling@statesmanjournal.com, call (503) 399-6884 or follow on Twitter @alisharoemeling