Hung jury in case of man who shot home intruder

HELENA (AP) — A Lewis and Clark County jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case of a Helena man charged with shooting and killing a home intruder.

The Independent Record reports jurors deliberated for more than nine hours Wednesday and Thursday before telling District Judge Kathy Seeley that they could not reach a unanimous verdict on whether James George Stiffler was justified in shooting and killing Henry Thomas Johnson in May 2013 or if he committed deliberate homicide.

Prosecutors said evidence indicated Johnson was shot in the back as he fled the home, but Stiffler says he shot Johnson as he moved toward him threateningly and that he feared for his life.

A status hearing is set for Feb. 25 to determine if prosecutors will re-try the case.