Mississippi Self-Defense: Jones County homicide believed to be self defense :: 10/10/2015

On Thursday, Jones County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to 7 Business Drive in Ellisville. 

Dispatch stated a 72-year-old man had shot another man on the premises.

When deputies arrived, Jeffrey Crespo, 56, was lying on the ground, unresponsive, with a single gunshot wound to the chest. 

Deputies also saw a 13-inch sledge hammer just a couple of feet from Crespo.  The shooter was identified as Roger Smith, 72 of Laurel. 

Smith showed injuries to his right eye and elbow.  He reported to deputies that he and Crespo, his employee, had been in a verbal altercation during the day over Smith’s displeasure with Crespo’s mechanical work. 

As the argument escalated, Crespo grabbed the sledge hammer and began to swing at Smith, swiping him.

Smith told Crespo to put the hammer down.  Smith then went to his nearby camper that was on the property and pulled his 22-caliber pistol. 

Crespo then came after Smith with the sledge hammer once again, and in what Smith stated was “self defense," Smith fired the weapon once, striking Crespo in the chest. 

Crespo died as a result of his injury at a local hospital.

The investigation is ongoing.  At this time, Smith has not been charged.

http://www.wdam.com/story/30228223/jones-county-homicide-believed-to-be-self-defense