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Police: Man Killed Boy For Walking Across Yard
UPDATED: 7:04 am EST March 21,
2006
BATAVIA, Ohio -- An Ohio man who neighbors say was devoted to his meticulously kept lawn has been charged with murder in the shooting of a 15-year-old boy who apparently walked across his yard.A 911 tape recorded 66-year-old Charles Martin as saying, "I just killed a kid." Martin also told a dispatcher, "I've been harassed by him and his parents for five years. Today just blew it up." The child, Larry Mugrage, was Martin's neighbor.
According to police, Martin and Mugrage had a history of arguments about Martin's yard. The two argued again Sunday, police said, and when Mugrage returned, Martin was waiting outside and shot him twice.He then called 911, officials said.Martin: "I just killed a kid."
911 Operator: "You just killed a kid?"
Martin: "Yes, ma'am."Later, the operator asked Martin to explain what happened. Martin: "Kids just been giving me a bunch of (expletive), making other kids harass me in my place, tearing things up."
911 Operator: "OK, so what'd you do?"
Martin: "I shot him with a (expletive) 4-10 shotgun twice."
911 Operator: "You shot him with a shotgun? Where is he?"
Martin: "He's laying in his yard."Neighbors said Martin lived alone quietly, often sitting in front of his one-story home with its neat lawn, well-trimmed shrubbery and flagpole with U.S. and Navy flags flying.Another neighbor described the victim as "a good kid."Mugrage, a student at Glen Este High School, was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Authorities said Martin has no prior criminal record, but he does have a history of complaints about neighbors allegedly damaging his property. Other teens from the neighborhood said Martin was obsessive about his lawn. Martin is scheduled to be back in a Clermont County court Thursday.
911 Operator: "You just killed a kid?"
Martin: "Yes, ma'am."Later, the operator asked Martin to explain what happened. Martin: "Kids just been giving me a bunch of (expletive), making other kids harass me in my place, tearing things up."
911 Operator: "OK, so what'd you do?"
Martin: "I shot him with a (expletive) 4-10 shotgun twice."
911 Operator: "You shot him with a shotgun? Where is he?"
Martin: "He's laying in his yard."Neighbors said Martin lived alone quietly, often sitting in front of his one-story home with its neat lawn, well-trimmed shrubbery and flagpole with U.S. and Navy flags flying.Another neighbor described the victim as "a good kid."Mugrage, a student at Glen Este High School, was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Authorities said Martin has no prior criminal record, but he does have a history of complaints about neighbors allegedly damaging his property. Other teens from the neighborhood said Martin was obsessive about his lawn. Martin is scheduled to be back in a Clermont County court Thursday.
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.








