8/3/2005
Media Contact:
Roger Rayl, 327-5765
rrayl@indygov.org |
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Murder Charges Filed in Egg Shooting
INDIANAPOLIS—Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi today announced that he has filed a charge of murder against Donald Ware, 37, in the July 24 shooting death of Brandon Dunson. In addition, Brizzi also filed a count of battery for Ware's alleged wounding of Michael Dyer. Ware also faces two counts of criminal recklessness and one count of possession of marijuana. If convicted of all charges, Ware faces a maximum sentence of 82 years.
"Ware took it upon himself to be judge, jury and executioner," said Brizzi. "We cannot allow vigilante justice. That's why we have police departments to investigate criminal cases and courts to try defendants. Ware will get a fair trial in a court of law, which is a greater opportunity than he gave Brandon."
Brizzi added that evidence involving the throwing of eggs at cars will be turned over to the Juvenile Division for the potential filing of criminal mischief against the boys who were at the scene that night.
"In no way did Brandon deserve to be killed, or Michael deserve to be wounded for what happened," explained Brizzi. "However, we cannot ignore the fact that throwing eggs at cars is against the law and requires some level of accountability."
According to the probable cause affidavit, the incident began when juveniles bought two dozen eggs at a gas station at the corner of Girls School Road and Rockville road. The boys then went to a railroad crossing just south of the gas station and began throwing eggs at passing cars. The driver of a pickup truck which had been hit by eggs stopped and yelled at the boys. The juveniles ran into a nearby housing edition with the driver chasing after them.
After they thought they had lost the driver, they returned to the railroad tracks and began throwing more eggs, striking a car. All of a sudden, they heard the truck speeding up in a shopping mall and saw it coming toward them. The boys scattered. They saw the truck stop at the entrance to the mall and heard two gun shots. Dyer was shot in the leg, and Dunson clutched his stomach as they were running away.
An autopsy showed that Dunson died from a single gunshot wound to his back, with the bullet passing through his heart.
Police arrested Ware at his Avon home Sunday night. He is currently held in the Marion County Jail without bond. His initial hearing is scheduled for Friday morning at 9:00 in Marion Superior Criminal Court 5.
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