By Kelly McKinney
Register News Writer
RICHMOND —
Charges against a Richmond man accused of assault were dismissed Wednesday by a Madison grand jury.
Vernon Stepp, 65, was arrested May 16 for allegedly shooting Paul Thomas Anglin, 23, in the lower left side of his torso with a .32-caliber revolver. He was charged with first-degree assault.
Police said an argument led to the shooting, which occurred at Stepp’s home on Canterbury Road.
Anglin suffered non life-threatening injuries and was sent to Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center for treatment and later transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center. He was released later that night.
Stepp’s attorney, Jim Baechtold, maintained that Stepp acted in self defense. He said Stepp has no criminal background, is a veteran and “has always been a law-abiding citizen.”
“After reviewing the evidence, and speaking to the witnesses in this case, it is clear that Vernon Stepp was acting in self defense and that his behavior was justified under the circumstances,” Baechtold said. “It is suspicious to everyone that the alleged victim and his brother-in-law, who are approximately 20 years old, would make the choice to fight a 65-year-old man.”
Several witnesses testified before the grand jury, including Stepp, Anglin and Phillip Powell, a trooper with the Kentucky State Police. The case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning the charges could be brought against Stepp again at a later time.
Baechtold said he does not believe that will happen.
“I have always had faith in the Madison County Grand Jury to make well informed, rational decisions based upon all of the evidence and upon all of the witness testimony,” Baechtold said. “My client and I decided it would be in his best interest to tell his side of the story and Mr. Stepp is grateful that the Madison County Grand Jury afforded him the opportunity to testify in his own behalf. Mr. Stepp wants to put this unfortunate incident behind him and move on with his life.”
If the case had continued and Stepp had been convicted, he would have faced up to 20 years in prison.
Kelly McKinney can be reached at kmckinney@richmondregister.com or 624-6694.
