A Michigan man has been charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of 19-year-old Renisha McBride.
Theodore Paul Wafer, 54, also known as Ted, was taken into custody today, The Detroit News reports.
Wafer claims he shot McBride in the face in “self defense” when she knocked on his door seeking help after a car crash on Nov. 2. McBride’s family was notified of her death on Nov. 4. Police initially said her body was “dumped” in the Detroit suburb.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced the arrest today during a press conference in Detroit.
“We obviously do not feel that the evidence in this case reveals that the defendant acted in lawful self defense,” Worthy said.
Wafer was in court today to hear the charges against him. His bond was set at $250,000 cash or surety of 10 percent, meaning he will need $25,000 cash to get out of jail.
According to a toxicology report, McBride’s blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit, and there were traces of marijuana in her system when she died.
Earlier that evening McBride was involved in a single-car crash. A police report notes that she fled the area before police arrived at the scene of the crash.
Local attorney Arnold Reed told The Detroit News that McBride’s blood alcohol level likely won’t sway a jury in Detroit.
“The fact that the victim was intoxicated will make for good sound bites for the defense in front of the jury but will not likely sway their opinion for either side,” Reed said. “The defenses’ task as compared to that of the prosecutions, is akin to climbing Mt. Everest backwards, in flip flops.”
Prosecutor Worthy said Wafer’s claims of self defense were unwarranted.
“We have issued these charges because we believe the evidence will show that self defense was not warranted,” Worthy said.
“Under Michigan law, there is no duty to retreat in your own home, however, someone who claims self-defense must honestly and reasonably believe that he is in imminent danger of either losing his life or suffering great bodily harm, and that the use of deadly force is necessary to prevent that harm.”
Police say Wafer waited an hour before calling 911 to report the shooting.
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