One thing is certain, when you leave your own property to defend a stranger, be absolutely certain you know everything that pertains to the situation, or don't.
This from Friday:
http://fayobserver.com/articles/2012/05/17/1178554
Gracie Lee Ramirez could spend more than 16 years in prison if convicted in the death of Jerry Dale Martin Jr., a judge told her Thursday.
Ramirez, 34, was calm and composed during her first court appearance on a voluntary manslaughter charge at the Cumberland County Detention Center Thursday afternoon.
Flanked by two attorneys from a Fayetteville law firm, Ramirez spoke only to answer Judge David Hasty’s questions.
Hasty said the charge carries a maximum of 16 years and 9 months in prison.
Neither Ramirez nor attorneys Cull Jordan II and Jonathan Wright offered any comment after the hearing.
It’s alleged Ramirez shot Martin, her neighbor, in the abdomen in his front yard on Mawood Avenue on Saturday.
Martin was horsing around with relatives at the time, his family has said.
Kevin Blake, Martin’s stepfather since second grade, said the family was hoping the charge would be murder, but accepted the detectives’ decision.
“It can be frustrating,” he said. “You just hope justice will somehow be served.”
Martin’s funeral was Thursday. Blake said more than 800 people attended the visitation Wednesday night.
Ramirez, a Fort Bragg soldier who has served three deployments in the Middle East, is not in jail, having posted a $50,000 unsecured bond when she was arrested Wednesday. She is next due in court June 6.