Jury Acquits Man of Murder

Jury Acquits Man of Murder

As appeared in the Springfield News-Sun, Saturday, March 21, 2009. Written By Valerie Lough.

TURNER SAYS FATAL SHOOTING IN 2002 WAS IN SELF DEFENSE; HE’S CONVICTED ON OTHER CHARGES.

Jeremy Turner, on trial this week for the 2002 shooting death of Nicholas McQuirt, was acquitted of murder charges Friday, March 20.

Turner was convicted of having weapons under disability and attempted drug possession, according to court documents.

As Turner has been in prison or jail more than six years, he was given credit for time served and released Friday.

Defense attorney James Owen, who argued in trial that Turner acted in self-defense, said the verdict was a “vindication.”

“It vindicates a person’s right to self-defense no matter who you are,” Owen said.

Clark County Prosecutor Stephen Schumaker said he was disappointed but “we certainly respect the jury’s verdict.”

“The jury was thorough in their deliberations and we respect their decision,” Schumaker said.

Turner declined to comment.

Turner met McQuirt and three other on Sept. 24, 2002, for a marijuana purchase on the 1500 block of Broadway Street, where they tried to rob him, according to a police report.

After one of the men pointed a gun at Turner and another man knocked him down, Turner fired a gun at them, according to court documents.

Turner pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2003, but won a new trial last year after the 2nd District Court of Appeals found that his lawyer advised him inadequately, according to court records.