Man charged after using gun on bat that "attacked" his wife
CLOSE [X] Last update: August 24, 2010 - 6:16 AM
A Maplewood man found out the hard way that when it comes to getting rid of vermin, a gun probably is not the best choice -- particularly when the critter is in your house.
By the time he was done shooting, a bat was wounded and an adjoining vacant townhouse had three bullet holes in its freshly painted walls, a dent in a metal closet door and a dent in More.. the stove, according to charges filed Friday in Ramsey County District Court.
As a result, Cedric R. Newton, 52, has been charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, a felony. He will make his first court appearance Sept. 20.
The charges said Newton used a .38-caliber revolver to get rid of the bat last month.
A Maplewood police officer was sent to the 2300 block of Loudin Lane on July 25 to speak with the property manager, who showed the officer the damage, the complaint said.
When police talked to Newton, he said that about midnight on July 24, a bat had come into his home and "attacked" his wife, the complaint said. Newton said he got his gun and fired several times at the bat, eventually wounding it.
"Newton told police that he had the presence of mind to have his wife go upstairs while he shot at the bat, but apparently gave no consideration to the surrounding townhomes," the complaint said.
No one answered the phone Monday afternoon at the Newton home.
CLOSE [X] Last update: August 24, 2010 - 6:16 AM
A Maplewood man found out the hard way that when it comes to getting rid of vermin, a gun probably is not the best choice -- particularly when the critter is in your house.
By the time he was done shooting, a bat was wounded and an adjoining vacant townhouse had three bullet holes in its freshly painted walls, a dent in a metal closet door and a dent in More.. the stove, according to charges filed Friday in Ramsey County District Court.
As a result, Cedric R. Newton, 52, has been charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, a felony. He will make his first court appearance Sept. 20.
The charges said Newton used a .38-caliber revolver to get rid of the bat last month.
A Maplewood police officer was sent to the 2300 block of Loudin Lane on July 25 to speak with the property manager, who showed the officer the damage, the complaint said.
When police talked to Newton, he said that about midnight on July 24, a bat had come into his home and "attacked" his wife, the complaint said. Newton said he got his gun and fired several times at the bat, eventually wounding it.
"Newton told police that he had the presence of mind to have his wife go upstairs while he shot at the bat, but apparently gave no consideration to the surrounding townhomes," the complaint said.
No one answered the phone Monday afternoon at the Newton home.
