Jeffrey D. Peterson charged with second-degree murder. He says victim Shaheen Bean tried to mug him.
Victim Shaheen BeanSyracuse, NY - A Syracuse man who claimed he acted in self defense in shooting a would-be mugger last month is now facing a murder charge in the fatal shooting.
Jeffrey D. Peterson of 2501 E. Genesee St., was just arraigned this morning before County Judge Joseph Fahey on a sealed indictment charging him with second-degree murder.
He's accused of causing the death of Shaheen Bean, 33, by shooting the victim.
The shooting occurred about 4:45 a.m. June 26 in the yard outside Peterson's home.
District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said last month that authorities were looking into the possibility Peterson was being robbed by Bean when the shooting occurred. The prosecutor said Peterson and his wife claimed they were just arriving home when they were confronted by a masked gunman outside their home.
Fitzpatrick said the evidence seemed to support Peterson's claim that he was able to shoot Bean during a struggle for the gunman's weapon. But he said no final determination would be made until all the ballistics evidence had been analyzed to determine if it matched Peterson's story.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Christine Garvey declined any comment on the case as she left Fahey's court following Peterson's brief appearance this morning. Fahey adjourned the case to Thursday for the appearance of defense lawyer Salvatore Piemonte.