Wis. Man: I Killed Teen Neighbor for ‘Justice’
John Henry Spooner, 76, said the suspicion that Darius Simmons stole expensive shotguns of deep sentimental value left him “very, very angry.” Police searched Darius’ home after the shooting and didn’t find the weapons.
A prosecutor alleged that Spooner traded the boy’s life for guns in a desire for revenge.
“I wouldn’t call it revenge. I would call it justice,” Spooner said defiantly, drawing audible gasps from the courtroom. Darius’ mother, Patricia Larry, threw up her hands and muttered, “Oh my god.”
Spooner was testifying against the advice of his lawyer. Defense attorney Franklyn Gimbel told the judge during morning proceedings that his client had suddenly lost the mental competence to continue with the trial. The judge halted proceedings for a few hours until a court-appointed psychiatrist performed a brief examination and pronounced Spooner competent to continue.