A man arrested in a homicide in Callaway County last night [Wednesday] is claiming an altercation led to the fatal shooting of 49 year old James Newsom in his home.
According to a probable cause statement, 47 year-old Michael Hatfield told investigators that he and Newsom had been drinking at Hatfield’s home when Newsom struck him repeatedly and reached for his gun. Hatfield reported that was when he shot him, and immediately passed out.
Police report Newsom was shot approximately 7 times, however, when they found Hatfield’s gun it was fully loaded with a round jammed in the chamber. Hatfield had not reported reloading the weapon after the shooting.
The victim’s gun was located in a holster and had not been fired and the chamber was clear, and there were no obvious injuries to Newsom’s hands beyond those caused by gunshot wounds.