Tony Hamilton
Beaver
County, Utah
Date of Alleged Crime: September 9, 1999
Tony Alexander Hamilton was convicted of the attempted
murder of Sheriff's Deputy John Chambers. Hamilton was a member of a
religious commune that had purchased 640 acres of land at Vance Springs,
located west of Milford, UT. The commune believed that as a religious
organization it possessed tax-exempt status and consequently did not pay
taxes. After 5 years of non-payment the property was seized by the
taxing authorities.
Hamilton returned to the property after being evicted. When deputies
went to arrest Hamilton for trespassing, three of them entered through the
south gate of the property while Deputy Chambers entered by climbing over
the locked north gate. He had a police dog with him who climbed under
the fence. Hamilton was driving his truck when he saw Chambers and
drove near him to see if he had a warrant. Apparently none was
produced. In order to stop Hamilton, Chambers shot out the two left
tires of the truck. According to Hamilton, Chambers also released his
trained police dog on him. Hamilton shot the dog, killing it. Then according to Hamilton, Chambers opened fire on him with his service
revolver, a weapon that was not accurate at any distance. Chambers
fired about 10 shots. Hamilton had a scoped rifle, and fired a single
bullet into Chambers' leg from a distance of 130 yards. As a result,
Chambers fell to the ground. Hamilton then walked away until he was
apprehended by the other deputies.
Hamilton argued he acted in self-defense. When Chambers fired at his
truck tires, Hamilton did not necessarily know that he himself was not the
target. Chambers release of a trained attack dog was a hostile action. Chambers called back the dog when he saw Hamilton aim at it. The dog
was shot in the process of returning. Even without clear danger,
shooting the dog sent a warning to Chambers that his initiation of gunfire
was not appropriate.
Chambers said he only began firing directly at Hamilton after Hamilton fired
at least two shots at him. However, it is believable that Chambers
shot first because he was upset that his dog was killed. It is clear
that he was emotionally attached to his dog. Witnesses at trial
testified that Hamilton was a crack shot, so it is believable that Hamilton,
with his scoped rifle, shot Chambers in the leg because he intended to hit
his leg and that he did not intend to kill him. The lack of intent is
further reinforced by the fact that Hamilton did not try finish Chambers off
but left the scene. Chambers was sentenced to 5 years to life in
prison. He is still imprisoned as of 2011. [3/11]
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References: City Confidential - Milford: Death and
Taxes,
State v. Hamilton
Posted in:
Victims of the State,
Utah Cases, Self-Defense
Cases
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