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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 23, 2005 Local DA to handle shooting inquiry By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute a case involving the shooting of a Rogue River man who was critically injured after a Josephine County sheriff’s detective fired several rounds at him during a bizarre escape attempt early Sunday. Because the pursuit and shooting of Michael James Murray, 41, happened in Jackson and Josephine counties, either jurisdiction could have led prosecution efforts. But officials announced Tuesday that it would be more appropriate for the case to proceed through Jackson County courts. "The initial shots fired by Murray at the patrol vehicle definitely happened in Jackson County," said Mark Huddleston, Jackson County’s district attorney. "It made sense for us to look at the whole thing." Oregon State Police investigators are leading a multi-agency criminal probe into the incident, which began with an attempted traffic stop at about 3 a.m. Sunday in Josephine County. It ended nearly six hours later, when Murray was shot after police say he recklessly drove a log skidder into a Jackson County sheriff’s cruiser and private property along Savage Creek Road. Huddleston identified the officer who shot Murray in the neck as Josephine County sheriff’s Detective Sean Valdez. Huddleston said he believes Valdez has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel did not return a telephone message Tuesday seeking more information. Advertisement At about 3 a.m. Sunday, Josephine County sheriff’s deputy Michael Burke attempted to stop a Ford Bronco for an unknown traffic violation, police said. The Bronco, driven by 35-year-old Mark Louis Tripp, sped up and led Burke and another deputy on a pursuit along Josephine and Jackson county roads, police said. During the chase, police believe Murray used a shotgun to fire several rounds at the deputies. The gun has been recovered, Huddleston said. Police said shots struck two Josephine County patrol cars, but no deputies were injured. The chase ended when the Bronco crashed into a gate in the 1900 block of Savage Creek Road in Jackson County. Tripp was captured after a short foot chase, but police did not find Murray until about 8:30 a.m. Officers from at least six Southern Oregon police agencies were still searching in the area when they spotted Murray operating a log skidder on a Savage Creek Road property. He drove through fences, creeks and several yards before Valdez fired several shots in his direction, officials said. A few minutes later, Murray stopped the skidder and was arrested, Josephine County District Attorney Stephen Campbell said in a news release. Huddleston said Murray was apparently unarmed at the time. Murray was taken to Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford, where he remained late Tuesday in serious condition, a nursing supervisor said. His sister, Tamara Fry, said family members were frustrated because police would not allow them to see Murray. "A mother should be able to see her son when he’s on his deathbed," said Fry, adding that Murray was expected to undergo surgery today. Fry previously told the Mail Tribune she believed her brother was a methamphetamine user, and that Murray likely fled police because he did not want to return to jail. Murray has been previously convicted in Oregon of felony charges including attempted first-degree arson, aggravated first-degree theft and attempted escape. Jackson County authorities were seeking Murray in connection with an incident last September in which he led sheriff’s deputies on a wild chase and escaped after allegedly ramming a patrol car with his pickup on Interstate 5 near Gold Hill, police said. Meanwhile, Tripp, of the 3700 block of Rogue River Highway, remained jailed in Josephine County on outstanding warrants. He was being held without bail, a jail spokeswoman said. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztechmedia Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Advertisement s