Jury hung on whether Beaverton man committed homicide in accidental shooting

Darrell Dean Laffoon.jpgWCSODarrell Dean Laffoon
A Washington County jury on Monday couldn't decided whether a Beaverton man committed homicide in the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Phillip Wilson last year.

Darrell Dean Laffoon, 61, was on trial for charges of second-degree homicide, second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon in the incident that occurred April 18. The jury was hung on the homicide charge, but found Laffoon guilty of the other crimes, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Rob Bletko.

The jury, Bletko said, deliberated for about 13 hours over three days. Bletko said that following Monday's verdict, Laffoon was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison for the assault and unlawful use of a weapon charges.

Laffoon has a court date scheduled for next Wednesday to set a new trial date for the homicide charge, records show.
 
Bletko last week told jurors that Laffoon brought out his loaded 9 mm handgun during an argument between his adult godsons, Preston and Phillip Wilson. The brothers, who had recently moved from Georgia, had been drinking that day and arguing over a cell phone. Laffoon took out the gun as the fight was getting more heated in his Beaverton trailer, Bletko said.

Preston Wilson tried to take the handgun, Bletko said, and a struggle ensued. The gun discharged one round, he said, and struck Phillip Wilson in the eye. Laffoon then beat Preston Wilson with the gun, Bletko said.

Laffoon's attorney, Patrick Birmingham, told jurors his client became worried about Phillip Wilson's safety around his older brother. Preston Wilson knocked his brother unconscious with a punch or strike twice in the first few days they were in town, Birmingham said.

Laffoon grabbed the gun on April 18, Birmingham said, because he was concerned about Phillip Wilson's safety.  

-- Rebecca Woolington

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