Charges Dropped Against Man Who Plead Self Defense

6/15/2012 (Updated 11:37:35 PM)

An Apalachin man said it was self defense and the district attorney has agreed.

Friday in Owego,  Derek Decker picked up personal belongings collected by police, including a number of shotguns.

Decker was charged last September after a shooting at his Toby Road home.

But Decker says he shot Darren Martin of Vestal in self defense after Martin tried to rob Decker at his home.

"I'm very pleased that the charges were dismissed but I never even should have been charged in the first place. It's very disappointing that the county D.A. and the State Police treated me like a criminal simply for defending myself against a man who came into my home and tried to rob me," said Derek Decker.

In a letter, Tioga County Assistant District Attorney Irene Graven wrote there was reasonable belief Decker could raise self-defense as justification for the shooting, and that the case was dismissed in the interest of justice.

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