Ripley County jury says 'not guilty'
Madison man found innocent of murder
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

After about six hours of deliberation, a Ripley County jury found Gerald Michael Bear, 24, of Jefferson County, not guilty on three charges - murder, voluntary manslaughter, and reckless homicide.

That conclusion came last Friday, March 26, after jurors heard evidence from both the state and defense concerning the death of Richard N. Hendren, which occurred April 26, of last year.

According to Ripley Publishing Company files, Hendren was found shot to death when police responded to a 911 call at a residence on Pleasant Ridge Road in Jefferson County.

An investigation ensued with Bear being charged with the murder of Hendren.

But, when the jurors heard days of testimony, they concluded that Bear was not guilty on the charges which brought relief from those supporting Bear and outrage from the family and friends of Hendren.

Jurors would hear from the state that Bear intentionally shot Hendren in the back of the head killing him. It was noted that Hendren had been driving the pickup truck around Bear's yard tearing up the ground prior to the shooting.

Defense argued that Bear only fired his gun as a warning after he was nearly run down by the truck. For two and a half weeks jurors would hear evidence they had to weigh to come up with the verdict of not guilty.

Ripley County residents serving as jurors had a scare as they prepared to leave the courtroom in Jefferson County following the reading of the verdict. It was noted that panic broke out from an unknown source causing
a loud commotion in the courtroom.

People in the courtroom took cover behind the benches in anticipation and the defendant was escorted quickly by police to take cover behind the judge's bench.

The exact cause of the commotion was not made public and no one
was arrested concerning the incident. The jurors were able to leave without any further problems.

The jurors were chosen from Ripley County due to pre-trial publicity concerning the case in Jefferson County. The trial was held in Jefferson County Circuit Court.
Jefferson County Prosecutor Chris Naylor praised the work of the officers involved in the case, and said while he is disappointed with the verdict, he respects the jurors decision.

Bear remains incarcerated in the Jefferson County Jail on unrelated charges.