Shelby County sheriff expects no charges in deadly shooting because of Stand Your Ground law – WHIO

SIDNEY The case involving Sundays deadly shooting of a man believed to have forced his way into his former girlfriends home in Sidney is scheduled to be presented to a Shelby County grand jury this week to determine whether the shooter should be charged.

Sheriff James Frye said he expects the panel to dismiss the case because of Ohios new Stand Your Ground law that took effect in April 2021.

House Bill 38 repealed the law, which removed a persons legal duty to attempt to retreat or walk away before firing their gun in public. The law has been updated to keep the castle doctrine, which says a person does not have to retreat in their home or vehicle before firing their gun.

News Center 7, by way of an information request, obtained doorbell video footage of James Rayl seconds before he is hit by gunfire when he appears to force his way into the home in the 2900 block of North Kuther Road on July 31.

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Tuesday, News Center 7s Kayla McDermott reported that in the video, Rayl pounds on the door after he is asked to leave.

In the 911 audio recording of the incident, also obtained by News Center 7 by way of an information request, a woman, presumably Rayls former girlfriend, said, Hes trying the door dad . . . dad . . dad. Is he trying to kill me?

County sheriffs investigators said it is at that moment, Rayl broke the front door and began to go inside. Hes hit immediately by three gunshots.

In the same 911 call, the woman is heard to say, " Dad theres nothing you could have done. You saved my life.

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A neighbor checked on the wounded Rayl -- when the woman inside refused a dispatchers request to do so -- and said he didnt see Rayl enter the home.

If he entered the house, why did he shoot through the door? the neighbor, Jeff Hereford, asked McDermott.

Hereford said he doesnt agree with his neighbors or the incident report on the shooting, claiming he saw everything as well as Rayl on the ground.

Another neighbor, Denesa Goings, told McDermott she believed the womans father had every right to fire a weapon.

Sheriff Frye said the county prosecutors office is to present the case a grand jury on Thursday.

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Shelby County sheriff expects no charges in deadly shooting because of Stand Your Ground law - WHIO

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