A Norman man charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of his neighbor was instead convicted of a lesser charge. A Cleveland County jury found EthanJohnson Spruill, 24, guilty not of murder, but of the lesser charge of first degree manslaughter. Once facing a life sentence, Spruill will likelyreceive a much lighter sentence. First degree manslaughter is punishable by a minimum of four years in prison, and the jury recommended a sentenceof 23 years.
The case began on February 15, 2014, when Stephanie Grantham, Spruill's upstairs neighbor, went downstairs to complain about the noise level coming fromSpruill's apartment. Grantham testified that Spruill became belligerent, abusive, and threatening, so she quickly left and went to back to her apartmentupstairs.
She said that a short time later, Spruill appeared at the apartment she shared with her husband, Aaron Donelle McCray Jr., 22. Grantham testifiedat the trial that Spruill forced his way into the apartment and began fighting with McCray. During the fight, she says, Spruill pulled a gun and shother husband in the chest, killing him.
Spruill testified on his own behalf, stating that as he struggled with McCray, the other man began choking him. Spruill says he feared that McCray wasgoing to kill him, so he shot the gun in self-defense.
From the media reports, it seems like this should be an open and shut case for first degree murder. A man becomes aggressive when confronted, so the personwho addressed him withdraws. The man then takes a gun and goes to the home of the person who complained and forces his way into the home where he beginsfighting the resident before shooting and killing him.
In most cases, a homeowner has the right to use lethal force against an intruder, which would make it sound as if, even if McCray, was trying to kill Spruill,he had the right to do so after an armed man forced his way into his home and assaulted him.
However, the evidence presented at trial is often much different than the limited picture presented in the media. In this case, the jury was unable tofind sufficient evidence of first degree murder, yet did find Spruill culpable of criminal homicide--first degree manslaughter.
Although the jury has recommended 23 years, formal sentencing will not take place until June 22.
