It's too early to determine whether prosecutors will try to indict a Belle homeowner who shot and killed a man who he said broke into his home over the weekend.
Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Charles Miller said Monday afternoon that he doesn't yet have enough information from sheriff's deputies to make a decision about charging the homeowner, whose name has not been released.
A man called Kanawha Metro 911 at about 4:30 a.m. Saturday to say he had shot a burglar. The homeowner waited for police to arrive at his house, located in the 2000 block of East Dupont Avenue, near Witcher Creek and Belle.
Justin William Jones, 33, of Spring Fork Drive, near Charleston, was found shot in the bedroom of the home. He was declared dead at the scene.
Jones and the homeowner knew each other and the incident wasn't random, Kanawha sheriff's deputies said Sunday.
"We're waiting to completely review all of the evidence before making a decision about what, if anything, should be done," said Miller. "Clearly, a person has the right to defend themselves in their home if they feel they are in danger. Then again, we have to make sure the circumstances support that. I need to see what information police put together, they haven't presented me with any report."
Kanawha Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Humphreys said Monday that detectives with the sheriff's office were still investigating the shooting.
"Sometimes these cases take weeks to conclude," said Humphreys. "Someone lost their life, and no matter how you look at it that deserves a thorough investigation.
"Witnesses are interviewed, evidence is examined, then witnesses may be approached again several times to go over new information. We want all the leads explored before we hand off the final reports to the prosecutor for review. We want him to have all the facts we can find to weigh, consider and help make any decisions."
Jones had been charged earlier this year with DUI and not having proof of insurance, according to records in Kanawha Magistrate Court. Both charges were dismissed.
Reach Kate White at kate.white@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-1723 or follow @KateLWhite on Twitter.