NORTH VERNON — A 50-year-old Jennings County man faces charges of murder and reckless homicide in connection with the shooting death of a man late Friday.
Kelly Smith of North Vernon was booked into the Jennings County Jail on those charges along with a charge of aggravated battery at 5:50 a.m. Saturday.
Smith told police he shot Carl McMurtrey, 40, of North Vernon, one time in the pelvic area during an argument the two had Friday night at Smith’s home in the Queensville area between North Vernon and Scipio, Lt. Mike Mowery said.
McMurtrey was treated at the scene by Rescue 20 personnel and others before being taken to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital where he later died, said Mowery, who is the public information officer with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.
He said the argument stemmed from an incident that began Thursday or early Friday morning after police went to Smith’s home at 4485 N. County Road 350W to search for McMurtrey, who was wanted on a warrant.
“We had information he was living with Smith,” Mowery said.
Smith told police McMurtrey, who lived in a detached garage at Smith’s home, was not there at the time, Mowery said.
“He (Smith) was cooperative with police,” he said.
For more on this story, see Monday’s Republic.
