Putnam prosecutor says shooting appears to be self-defense

WINFIELD, W.Va. — Putnam County prosecutors Mark Sorsaia said he hasn’t decided if he’ll present a case of a Red House woman who shot her estranged boyfriend to the grand jury.

“We’re going to look at the investigative report and look at the history,” said Sorsaia. “After that we’ll make a decision on whether to take it to the grand jury, but I can’t say if we’ll take that step.”

Curtis Adams, 31, of Red House, was shot at a mobile home on Grandview Ridge Road early Saturday morning. He died not long after at the Route 34 VFD.  Investigators said he was already free on bond for violating a protective order and walked through another one when he kicked down the door of the woman’s home.  She shot him as he came inside with five children in the house. Adams retreated, but died a short time later at a nearby firehouse.

“I can tell you the fact we made a decision not to arrest her is somewhat indicative of our first impressions,” said Sorsaia. “You have a right to defend yourself.  We’re going to look at it, but I can’t say if we’re going to present it to the grand jury or not. Initial indications are it was self defense.”

Adams’ family is calling for the investigation as they grieve his death. Sorsaia sympathizes with those relatives.

“I’m sure they’re going through a lot of angst and pain,” he said. “That’s why we call it a tragedy.  You wish things like this wouldn’t happen, but they do.”

 





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