Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 19, 1993 TAG: 9305190332
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She and her husband gave him money for an apartment, lent him a television, bought him a pair of shoes and a winter coat. For all her trouble, Settles took a bullet in the head.
Tuesday, a Roanoke County judge found probable cause to support a malicious wounding charge against her son, Michael Thomas Crockett, 24.
After the hearing, Settles said she was fortunate to have suffered only a superficial wound during the Jan. 24 shooting in her Mount Pleasant home. But Settles said she still is dealing with the emotional trauma. "I'm scared to death," she said.
Crockett was wearing leg chains when he was led into Roanoke County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for a preliminary hearing.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Mark Claytor called a single witness, Billy Settles, who testified that he and his wife were getting ready for church when Crockett appeared at their front door shortly before sunrise. Sensing trouble, Mary Settles picked up the phone and dialed 911. Once in the house, Crockett pulled a revolver, cut the phone lines and demanded cash, Billy Settles testified. "He says, . . . `You think I won't shoot you, don't you?' Then, bam! He shot her right in the back of the head."
Roanoke County Police arrived minutes later and found Crockett trying to comfort his mother. Officers had to subdue Crockett. "He said he'd kill everyone," Billy Settles testified. "He said, `They're not taking me back to jail.' "
There was no testimony that would have explained a motive for the incident. Defense attorney George W. Harris III did establish, however, that Crockett had been drinking.
One malicious wounding count and three related charges against Crockett were sent to a Roanoke County grand jury scheduled for June 4. Crockett was released late last year from prison, where he served for a burglary conviction.
"It's a shock," Mary Settles said of the shooting. "We're lucky we're even living today."
Memo: ***CORRECTION***