http://tennessean.com/local/archives/04/06/53624868.shtml?Element_ID=53624868
Friday, 07/02/04
State trooper says she shot brother in fight over butter
By CHRISTIAN BOTTORFF
Staff Writer
A Tennessee state trooper told Metro police she accidentally shot her brother in the leg during an argument that started over a tub of butter.
Angelinette L. Crawford, 31, a state trooper since April, told police the argument began about 10 a.m. yesterday when she realized that her brother, Jaison Bilbrew, 19, had lent the butter to a neighbor.
Bilbrew had come back to the Antioch apartment he shares with Crawford and her young son, and Crawford told him ''it was time for him to leave and find another residence,'' Metro police said in a news release.
''Their verbal argument turned into a shoving match at the top of the stairs,'' police said.
A message left for Crawford at the apartment was not returned.
Crawford went to her bedroom and got her service weapon, a .357 Glock semiautomatic pistol, according to police and the state Department of Safety.
The argument continued, then Bilbrew grabbed Crawford's arm and they wrestled on the floor. Bilbrew got up, and as Crawford was getting up, the gun discharged accidentally, according to Crawford, police said. The shooting occurred about 10:30 a.m. at the Hickory Manor apartments in the 2900 block of Hamilton Church Road.
Bilbrew was treated and released at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The two had lived at the apartment for just over a year, police and neighbors said.
Metro detectives interviewed Crawford and forwarded the case to the Davidson County district attorney's office. They did not charge Crawford with a crime.
District Attorney General Torry Johnson said yesterday that his office would review the case file and determine whether Crawford's action broke any laws.
Johnson said victims' statements sometimes factor into such decisions. However, when there is domestic violence, prosecutors do try to pursue charges even if a victim does not want charges to be filed, Johnson said.
''At this point, I think we simply need to look at the police investigation,'' Johnson said. ''It's hard to comment until we know what's there.''
The official story about the shooting changed throughout the day. Soon after the shooting, police spokesman Don Aaron said Bilbrew ''jumped on'' the off-duty trooper, causing a bruise on her face. Police at first said Crawford appeared to have been defending herself when she shot Bilbrew.
Later yesterday, however, police said the shooting took place during the intense argument.
The state Department of Safety declined to provide a picture of Crawford. Beth Denton, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Safety, said the department does not have a photograph of Crawford.
Crawford was placed on administrative leave with pay yesterday.
Christian Bottorff can be reached at 726-8904 or [email protected].
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"Metro detectives interviewed Crawford and forwarded the case to the Davidson County district attorney's office. They did not charge Crawford with a crime." Of course not!
TM
Friday, 07/02/04
State trooper says she shot brother in fight over butter
By CHRISTIAN BOTTORFF
Staff Writer
A Tennessee state trooper told Metro police she accidentally shot her brother in the leg during an argument that started over a tub of butter.
Angelinette L. Crawford, 31, a state trooper since April, told police the argument began about 10 a.m. yesterday when she realized that her brother, Jaison Bilbrew, 19, had lent the butter to a neighbor.
Bilbrew had come back to the Antioch apartment he shares with Crawford and her young son, and Crawford told him ''it was time for him to leave and find another residence,'' Metro police said in a news release.
''Their verbal argument turned into a shoving match at the top of the stairs,'' police said.
A message left for Crawford at the apartment was not returned.
Crawford went to her bedroom and got her service weapon, a .357 Glock semiautomatic pistol, according to police and the state Department of Safety.
The argument continued, then Bilbrew grabbed Crawford's arm and they wrestled on the floor. Bilbrew got up, and as Crawford was getting up, the gun discharged accidentally, according to Crawford, police said. The shooting occurred about 10:30 a.m. at the Hickory Manor apartments in the 2900 block of Hamilton Church Road.
Bilbrew was treated and released at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The two had lived at the apartment for just over a year, police and neighbors said.
Metro detectives interviewed Crawford and forwarded the case to the Davidson County district attorney's office. They did not charge Crawford with a crime.
District Attorney General Torry Johnson said yesterday that his office would review the case file and determine whether Crawford's action broke any laws.
Johnson said victims' statements sometimes factor into such decisions. However, when there is domestic violence, prosecutors do try to pursue charges even if a victim does not want charges to be filed, Johnson said.
''At this point, I think we simply need to look at the police investigation,'' Johnson said. ''It's hard to comment until we know what's there.''
The official story about the shooting changed throughout the day. Soon after the shooting, police spokesman Don Aaron said Bilbrew ''jumped on'' the off-duty trooper, causing a bruise on her face. Police at first said Crawford appeared to have been defending herself when she shot Bilbrew.
Later yesterday, however, police said the shooting took place during the intense argument.
The state Department of Safety declined to provide a picture of Crawford. Beth Denton, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Safety, said the department does not have a photograph of Crawford.
Crawford was placed on administrative leave with pay yesterday.
Christian Bottorff can be reached at 726-8904 or [email protected].
=====
"Metro detectives interviewed Crawford and forwarded the case to the Davidson County district attorney's office. They did not charge Crawford with a crime." Of course not!
TM
