Franklin County grand jury says no charges for Worthington woman who shot ex-boyfriend
A Franklin County grand jury declined to press charges against a woman who fatally shot her ex-boyfriend after being ambushed outside a Worthington apartment.
Claire Touvell, 23, had initially been charged with murder in the Feb. 3 death of her ex-boyfriend, 22-year-old Stephen Horton.
The grand jury reviewed the case and on Feb. 19 filed a “no bill,” meaning no indictment or charges were filed.
On Feb. 3, Worthington police received a 911 call from Touvell, who was at an apartment on the 6300 block of Proprietors Road. Horton was found in the parking lot with a gunshot wound and died at the scene.
Touvell told dispatchers she had shot Horton, but invoked her right to an attorney when questioned by detectives. Court records say a handgun was recovered at the scene.
Touvell’s attorney, Daniel Sabol, previously told The Dispatch the shooting was one of the clearest-cut cases of self-defense he had seen.
Sabol said Touvell had a protection order against Horton, which Horton had violated. Horton was lying in wait near Touvell’s car and ambushed her in an attempt to kidnap her, prompting Touvell to shoot him in self-defense, Sabol said.
Franklin County Municipal Court records show Horton had an open case pending against him for alleged domestic violence against Touvell at the time of his death. In one instance, court records say Touvell told police Horton had broken her jaw and threatened to kill her.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio grand jury says woman won’t be charged in shooting ex-boyfriend
