Griffin claims self-defense in Nunley shooting
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The defendant, Billy Joe Griffin, 21, was bound to the grand jury Tuesday by Judge Larry Ross on charges of second-degree murder, vandalism and illegal possession of a firearm for the May 7 shooting death of Chad Nunley, 27.
Nunley was shot three times with a 9mm handgun wielded by Griffin. The shooting happened during a party outside a home on Harrison Ferry Mountain where scores of people were gathered.
Presently, there is no dispute it was Griffin who pulled a 9mm handgun and pulled the trigger, fatally wounding Nunley. However, up for dispute are the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Prosecutors saying the victim was gunned down without adequate provocation, while the defense maintains the shooting was in self-defense.
During his testimony, District Attorney investigator Jason Rowland said Griffin gave him a statement following the shooting saying he (Griffin) had been assaulted by someone as he was walking to his vehicle to leave. Griffin then said he saw a knife on a person who was standing near Nunley and felt threatened. He then opened fire, hitting Nunley who was closest to him.
Griffin?s attorney, Michael Galligan, maintained his client was being chased or pursued by Nunley and others and that he was trying to get away when the confrontation at the car happened.
However, the state brought eyewitness Hannah Smith to the stand who was also trying to leave in her nearby car at the same time. Smith said she saw Griffin get into the passenger side of his car and close the door before re-emerging and shooting Nunley as the victim approached.
?He (Nunley) was saying ?Are you Billy?? as he was coming down the hill,? Smith recalled, noting she did not see the gun but did she the flashes during the shooting. ?I saw three flashes of light.?
Smith said Griffin fled as others in the crowd were beating on his vehicle, trying to stop him and the driver of the car from leaving the scene.
While his client was bound on second-degree murder charges, Galligan said he thinks the proof will show his client was defending himself.
?My client will present a case of self-defense,? Galligan said. ?He is sad he felt he had to shoot Mr. Nunley to defend himself and he is also sorry for the family of the deceased. But, he felt his only choice in the situation was to defend himself.?
There was no evidence presented Tuesday to suggest what caused the confrontation in the first place. Griffin remains held under bond awaiting grand jury action next month.