Homeowner tells of shooting intruder to death

Kim Smith

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2000 | 10:26 a.m.

A man whose friend was shot dead by a homeowner after the two allegedly broke into his house in July will face a murder charge.

Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo decided Tuesday morning that there is sufficient evidence for prosecutors to try Laron Diontae White, 19, in connection with the death of Chay B. Stevens.

Willard Arledge testified Tuesday morning that he woke up around 5 a.m. July 18 when his dog began barking. He told his wife to call 911, grabbed his .380-caliber gun and walked downstairs.

"The way he was barking I had a suspicion that something was very wrong," Arledge, 60, said.

When he arrived downstairs, Arledge said he followed both of his dogs to the door of his den. When he opened the door, he saw a man, later identified as Stevens, near his roll-top desk.

The next thing he knew, he said, the man turned, dipped his shoulder and came toward him.

"I don't know who shot first," Arledge said. "But I know he shot at me three or four times and I shot at him eight times and emptied my gun."

Arledge said he then ran back upstairs, told his wife to call 911 again and grabbed a Winchester short-barreled shotgun.

The retired airline captain told Deputy Public Defender Howard Brooks he never saw White and nothing was taken from his home.

"He was shooting at me so I would assume he wanted to take my life, though," Arledge said.

An autopsy revealed five of the eight bullets fired by Arledge hit Stevens, 20.

White was arrested at a fast-food restaurant near Charleston and Decatur boulevards after a police officer on his way to the house saw him driving out of Arledge's cul-de-sac and gave chase.

Officers Michael Romero and John Novak testified White went through at least five red lights and stop signs at speeds exceeding 90 mph.

White had two gashes on his forearm and he later told police he suffered them while breaking into Arledge's home.

According to court testimony, the 2000 Grand Cherokee White was driving had been reported missing in California in June by a rental car business that had rented it to an acquaintance of White and Stevens.

A gun found near Stevens' body had been reported stolen by Charles Pappas, who testified he was confronted and robbed by two men in his apartment June 2.

White faces murder, burglary, robbery and home invasion charges. He is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 24 by District Judge Mark Gibbons.