Wife Cleared of Murder Charges After Jury Rules Shooting Self Defense

A Mississippi wife has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing following a grand jury trial in the August 26, 2015 shooting death of her estranged husband, Biloxi firefighter Richard Lewis “Ricky” Moore, 45.

Advertisement

A Jackson County grand jury cleared Michelle Moore of criminal charges, finding she shot her estranged husband in a clear case of self defense.

“The grand jury considered the facts of this case, and one issue was self-defense,” District Attorney Tony Lawrence said. “Their decision to issue a no true bill means they found that there was not sufficient proof of criminal wrongdoing.”

Jackson County deputies responded to a report of domestic dispute at the couple’s home in the 1100 block of O’Neal Road in Vancleave the day of Ricky Moore’s death.

At the time, Deputy Coroner Jason Moody said Moore was found on the floor of an office, dead of a gunshot wound.

The death was ruled a homicide; killing of a person by another, but not necessarily a murder.

Law enforcement agencies sometimes ask for a grand jury to look at evidence to determine if any arrest should be made or the shooter should be cleared of wrongdoing.

Mrs. Moore was brought in for questioning but never charged, nor will she be now.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member