FRANKLIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas jury has declined to indict a former Hearne police officer who fatally shot an armed 93-year-old woman during a confrontation.
A Robertson County grand jury on Tuesday declined to pursue criminal charges against 29-year-old Stephen Stem for the death of Pearlie Golden. The Hearne City Council in May fired Stem four days after he shot the woman twice at her home after responding to a 911 call.
Stem’s attorney says the officer acted in self-defense after the woman disobeyed commands to drop her gun.
The officer killed two people during his 22-month tenure with the department. Stem fatally shot a 28-year old man in December 2012 and was not indicted.
