SPRINGVILLE, UTAH (ABC 4 News) - The Utah County Attorney says a homeowner's shooting of an intruder in early March was justified.
Jacob Yarrington shot and killed Armando Martinez Jr. early in the morning of March 1 in Springville. Police say Martinez tried to break into several homes in the area and finally got into the Yarrington's around 3:00 in the morning. He made himself a snack and then went into the bedroom.
In a letter made public on March 22nd, Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Buhman says that, "Mr. Martinez initially spoke to Mr. Yarrington and his spouse, he claimed to possess a gun and he made physical gestures." That made the Yarrington's believe he did have a weapon. He goes on to say, "In fact, at the point when Mr. Yarrington was able to grab his weapon, aim it at Mr. Martinez and verbally attempt to detain him, Mr. Martinez moved toward Mr. Yarrington and made gestures that appeared to be an attempt to access a gun."
Buhman goes on to say, "Mr. Jacob Yarrington's shooting of Mr. Armando Martinez was legally justified. Consequently, I have decided that no prosecution should be initiated..."
