| Damon Wells: "I wasn't trying to kill anyone" |
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| Written by Jeff Garvas | |
| Friday, 15 June 2007 | |
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There is no doubt that Damon Wells, the Cleveland man forced to shoot a neighborhood punk in self-defense, is apprehensive and remorseful for his part in the ordeal. In testimony given in a hearing Thursday the Plain Dealer reported that Wells stared at the floor while recounting the ordeal. In the end Arthur Buford's accomplice in the attempted robbery, Mardale Williams, was sent to adult court to face charges in his friend's death. We learn from the testimony that Wells did everything he could to avert the situation. He tried to de-escalate the violence by telling the two thugs he recognized them from the neighborhood in an attempt to either earn some respect or create the fear that Wells could identify them later. Despite his efforts Bufford wouldn't back down. Thats when Wells, pretending to go for his wallet, drew his concealed firearm and shot Bufford, who was within arms reach. Prosecutors state that Williams had already been involved in a number of robberies in the neighborhood and concluding that he was a part of this one isn't much of a stretch. |