PA Bill Number: HB2663
Title: Providing for older adults protective services; and making a repeal.
Description: Providing for older adults protective services; and making a repeal. ...
Last Action: Referred to AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES
Last Action Date: Nov 19, 2024
Ohio Self-Defense: Authorities believe Jackson woman acted in self defense in shooting :: 08/28/2015
JACKSON — Authorities continue to investigate a domestic dispute that resulted in a woman’s fight for her life and the deaths of two men. Jackson Police Chief Carl Eisnaugle believes the woman will not be charged in the incident.
According to Eisnaugle, an investigator has interviewed Emily Adkins, who is listed in stable condition in a West Virginia hospital, following her surgery.
Eisnaugle believes that 54-year-old David W. Hoover, the boyfriend of Adkins, 22, was leaving the residence at 6:58 a.m. on Monday as 52-year-old Paul M. Christian, Adkins’ uncle, was waiting outside When Hoover opened the door, a fight between Hoover and Christian began in the living room.
The chief speculated that Hoover somehow forced the fight outside, onto the porch of the two-story home. During the fight, Adkins woke up after she heard screaming. It is alleged that she went toward the front door, saw the fight, then closed and locked the front door. She retreated into the bedroom and retrieved a .380 semi-automatic handgun.
“I can not tell you for any amount of certainty how Hoover ended up in the yard,” said Eisnaugle. “I know that he came off that porch. There’s a possibility that during the fight that Christian shoved Hoover off the balcony or Hoover may have been trying to get away from him (Christian). There was blood all on that upper deck and railing.”
Officers who responded to the scene discovered Hoover dead in the front yard.
“Hoover had multiple cuttings and knife wounds,” explained Eisnaugle. “There were no gunshot wounds. There were stab wounds... and slice wounds where he was hacked with an edged weapon.”
According to authorities, Christian kicked in the front door to the house and went after Adkins. Christian and Adkins exchanged gunfire. Christian died of his gunshot wound, while Adkins was shot once in the lower chest/abdomen area. She was taken to Holzer Medical Center in Jackson, and then transported by medical helicopter to another hospital, where she underwent surgery.
Adkins’ 2-year-old daughter was present during the incident. The child was uninjured and is in the custody of family members.
“The child was in a back bedroom,” explained Eisnaugle. “I don’t believe she saw anything... I think she will be OK.”
Investigators believe that Christian may have ridden a bicycle to the residence, since one was discovered at the scene of the crime.
“Christian brought a couple knives and a sword. He also brought a .380 semi-automatic gun with him,” stated Eisnaugle. “His intention was to off somebody.”
In March, an incident between Adkins, Christian and Hoover had transpired. The incident led to Christian being indicted by a Jackson County grand jury in May for aggravated robbery, sexual battery and abduction. A warrant for his arrest was issued by the Jackson County Common Pleas Court for the indictments but he was never located by law enforcement.
“Christian had been all over the place trying to avoid being picked up,” Eisnaugle alleged.
Eisnaugle verified that Christian was the uncle and stepfather figure of Adkins and, along with Hoover, the three had been involved in incidents before. The chief said it was his understanding that Christian had “raised” Adkins during her childhood. Christian was Adkins’ late mother’s brother. He was also the father of Adkins’ 2-year-old child. Court documents indicate that Christian became Adkins’ custodian and legal guardian on Aug. 5, 2003. She had called him her stepdad in past police reports.
The investigation will be referred to Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Lovett. Lovett told The Jackson County Times-Journal Wednesday that before a final review of the incident can be completed, the BCI laboratory will need to analyze items submitted by law enforcement and autopsies will need to be performed.
Eisnaugle said Adkins’ actions were “absolutely” in self-defense. “In my opinion, no. There will be no charges filed against Adkins,” stated Eisnaugle. “I will stick by that regardless of what anyone says.”
