Shooting Victim Claims Incident Was Accidental

— Michael Austin Guzman twice referred to the shooting that left him paralyzed from the waist down as an accident while questioned by a prosecutor Friday.

Guzman, 21, testified at the trial of the man accused of shooting him. George David Reed, 50, is charged with first-degree battery, a class B felony.

Benton County Prosecutor Van Stone was questioning Guzman about the July 31, 2007, shooting at Reed’s residence at 13569 Vaughn Road.

Guzman was dating Reed’s then 17-year-old daughter. The two had been prohibited from being at her home alone after their parents learned the teens had a sexual relationship and Guzman was sneaking into the girl’s bedroom at night. Guzman was prohibited from going to the Reed home when his girlfriend’s parents weren’t there.

However, that day Guzman parked his car about a quarter mile from the Reed residence, and his girlfriend picked him up and brought him back to her home. Guzman said the two didn’t have sex but fell asleep in her bed for a few hours. They were awakened by the noise of a truck, Guzman said.

Morgan Reed said Thursday her bedroom window was nailed shut after her parents learned about the teens’ relationship.

Guzman said he hid in a closet as George Reed came in the bedroom and asked his daughter about Guzman’s whereabouts. Reed opened the closet door and began beating him with a pool stick, Guzman said. Guzman said he never attempted to fight back and didn’t strike Reed as he was being hit. After striking Guzman several times, Reed dropped the pool stick and left his daughter’s bedroom.

Guzman told the court he attempted to put a dresser in front of the door, but used his body to block the door when Reed returned. Reed attempted to force the door open, but Guzman said he was able to keep Reed out of the room.

Reed then fired four gun shots into the door. One of the bullets struck Guzman’s back.

“The half lower of my bottom tensed up,” Guzman said about being shot. “Every muscle tightened up in my lower body, and then nothing.”

Guzman told jurors he didn’t have any feelings in his legs.

In the witness stand Guzman moved his wheelchair to show jurors where he had been shot.

Stone asked Guzman about a meeting he had with Reed, along with their church’s youth pastor, about a week before the shooting.

However, Guzman then referred to the shooting as an “accident.”

“What ... when you were shot?” Stone asked.

“Yes, the accident,” Guzman said.

During jury selection, Stone told jurors Guzman would be a reluctant witness and still had hopes of marrying Reed’s daughter.

“Do you believe this bullet was meant for you?” Terry Harper, one of Reed’s attorneys, asked Guzman as he pointed up at the bullet hole in the door.

“No,” Guzman replied.

“Do you believe any of these bullets shot at a downward angle were meant to shoot you?” Harper asked as he stooped down and pointed at the three bullet holes in the door.

“No,“ Guzman said.

Guzman testified Reed had never threatened him before.

Guzman said he broke his promise to not come to Reed’s home, but he and Morgan wanted to spend time together.

“You and Morgan remain in a committed relationship today?” Harper asked. “You plan to marry?”

“Yes,” Guzman replied.

Prosecutors introduced Reed’s handgun, a 9 mm semiautomatic Taurus, when Sgt. Dennis Schumacher with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office testified. The pool cue was also admitted as evidence. Each was given to jurors so they could view the items.

Jurors also listened to the 911 call Morgan Reed made seeking emergency assistance after her father shot Guzman.

If convicted, Reed faces a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years, a fine up to $15,000 or both. He faces an additional 15 years since prosecutors filed a gun enhancement charge.

Even though Monday is Presidents’ Day and county offices are closed, jurors agreed to continue hearing the case.

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