| Man accused of killing father had prior prison stint |
By: By Sabrina Bates, Chief Staff Writer
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A domestic dispute between a mother and her son turned deadly in Gleason Thursday night. A press release issued by the Weakley County Sheriff’s Department cites an accusation of murder against Thomas Pruitt, 30, of Gleason.
Apparently, Thomas Pruitt stepped outside of his family’s home at 2570 East Grove Rd. outside of Gleason and fired a stray bullet, according to WCSD Inv. Randall McGowan.
He then came back inside the house and apparently pushed his mother to the floor.
Thomas Pruitt’s father, James, was shot in the forehead when the 61 year old intervened during the altercation.
Local law enforcement officials were dispatched to the domestic dispute at around 8:20 on Thursday night. James Pruitt was pronounced dead at the scene.
McGowan said based on evidence and interviews conducted, the incident was not accidental prompting a charge of the Class A felony of second-degree murder.
Thomas Pruitt has a prior conviction of manslaughter out of Carroll County. McGowan said Pruitt had spent five years in prison after he was found guilty of fatally stabbing a man with a knife when he was younger.
He is currently being housed without bond in the Weakley County Detention Center.
Pruitt was arraigned in Weakley County General Sessions Court Saturday. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The public defender’s office was appointed to the case.
Funeral services for James Pruitt were held Monday. McGowan said the department is waiting for autopsy results and lab work.
The WCSD, Gleason Police Department and the Tennessee Highway Patrol handled the case.
WCP 5.20.08 |
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