JENNINGS COUNTY — A Jennings County man’s claims he acted in self defense in an altercation that left another man dead early Monday morning has been cleared at this time, police report.
Chase Goodwin, 25, of North Vernon told investigators he feared for his safety when he struck Luis Silva, 23, of Micanopy, Florida, with a knife during the fight reported at 12:44 a.m. in the area of the city park at 604 N. State St.
Goodwin told police he then moved about 20 feet away from Silva who ran across State Street where he collapsed and died, according to a news release from Sgt. Andrew Richmond. His body was found by a passerby.
Detectives Ivory Sanderfur and Nick Megel investigated and spent nearly 20 hours collecting evidence and identifying Goodwin and Silva
Goodwin told police the incident started he drove a Chevrolet Cavalier into a service station in the 700 block of North State Street, Richmond reported. Silva was a passenger in the vehicle.
After arriving at the station, Goodwin said Silva demanded money from him. After Goodwin refused the request, Silva left the car and came around to the driver’s side, police said.
Goodwin also left the vehicle and Silver again confronted him and demanded money, police said.
Police were able to verity Goodwin’s story either by security camera, witness statements or a combination of both, Richmond reported.
Based upon that information Jennings County Prosecutor Brian Belding found there was insufficient evidence at this time to contradict Goodwin’s claims of self defense, Richmond said.
If new information develops to charge Goodwin in Silva’s death, the case may be re-evaluated, Richmond said.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
