Lapwai murder trial moves to federal court
Victor J. Gray, 53, faces federal charges of second-degree murder and firearm use in the shooting death of Melvin P. Williamson Jr. , a Nez Perce tribal member. The incident occurred on May 20 after a fight on Gray's property, during which Williamson allegedly struck Gray's significant other with a shovel.
Gray's attorney, Greg Rauch, asserts that Gray acted in self-defense, referencing Idaho's laws that permit the use of force to protect oneself or others. The Nez Perce County Prosecutor’s Office previously dropped the case, but federal authorities have since taken over. Coleman, the county prosecutor, disputes the defense's claims, stating the move to federal court was part of the original plan. Gray faces a potential life sentence if convicted, and the firearm charge could add ten years to his sentence. He remains in jail in Moscow while awaiting a rescheduled trial date.
The case highlights the complexities of self-defense laws in Idaho and their implications in violent crime cases.