Shooting lands man in jail

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2002-11-19

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Shooting lands man in jail No one is injured in the incident in Prospect; murder attempt alleged By SARAH LEMON PROSPECT - A Merlin man was charged with attempted murder after he allegedly shot at another man here Friday. Stephen Richard Miller, 48, was lodged in the Jackson County Jail on charges of attempted murder, attempted first-degree assault, pointing a firearm at and recklessly endangering another person, menacing, second-degree criminal mischief and driving under the influence of intoxicants. His bail was set at $2,019,000. Miller and 47-year-old David Buril Lawson, of Prospect, confronted 55-year-old Clayton James Graham in front of Graham's residence in the 300 block of Mill Creek Drive, Prospect, around 3:25 p.m. Lawson allegedly pointed a shotgun at Graham from the passenger window of a Chevrolet Blazer driven by Miller. Graham, who was on foot, grabbed the gun and tried to wrestle it away from Lawson, said Sgt. Dace Cochran of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. Miller leaned over Lawson and reportedly fired three shots from a 9 mm handgun at Graham, Cochran said. Graham, who was not injured, fled and ran into the nearby Trophy Room Cafe, Cochran said. Miller and Lawson drove off in the Blazer and were later arrested at their homes on Red Blanket Road. Lawson was arrested on charges of pointing a firearm at another and menacing. His bail was set at $7,000. Miller was allegedly drunk at the time of the shooting. His blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit for driving when he was arrested, Cochran said. Lawson appeared intoxicated as well, Cochran added. Police recovered both weapons involved and found three handgun shell casings in the vehicle and three others in the street, Cochran said. While shooting at Graham, Miller damaged a vehicle parked in front of the Trophy Room, Cochran said. Violence between the men had been building for about a week, Cochran said. They apparently argued over a woman who is Graham's ex-wife but who is now dating Miller. Graham allegedly choked Miller in an earlier confrontation, Cochran said. Graham was jailed Wednesday on two counts each of fourth-degree assault and harassment. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] .    Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.