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Article published Dec 10, 2003
Suspect claims self-defense
GREENWOOD -- One of the
three family members charged with killing two Abbeville County officers said he
was just defending his parents' home against something like the standoffs
between federal agents and armed citizens in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, and Waco,
Texas.GREENWOOD -- One of the three family members charged with killing two
Abbeville County officers said he was just defending his parents' home against
something like the standoffs between federal agents and armed citizens in Ruby
Ridge, Idaho, and Waco, Texas.Steven Bixby, 36, along with his 71-year-old
mother, Rita, were in court Tuesday for an arraignment on charges in Monday's
standoff with police, but when a judge paused to track down the warrants against
Steven Bixby, he spoke to reporters in the courtroom.Bixby said he acted in
self-defense because sheriff's Sgt. Danny Wilson, 36, tried to force his way
into his parents' home along state Highway 72 just west of downtown
Abbeville.Authorities say Wilson did not have any arrest papers or warrants when
he went to the home, he just went to talk to the family. Transportation
Department workers widening the two-lane road in frontof the Bixby home reported
someone threatened them as they laid out survey stakes."If we can't be any freer
than that in this country, I'd rather die," Bixby said.But Wilson and the other
officers were walking into a trap, authorities said. The Bixbys had formulated a
plan and "set it into motion next time any officer came to their property,"
State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart said.Arthur and Steven Bixby
have been charged with two counts of murder and criminal conspiracy, while Rita
Bixby is charged with accessory before the fact of murder, criminal conspiracy
and misprision of a felony, which is failing to report the planning of a
crime.If convicted of killing a police officer, all three are eligible for the
death penalty. If prosecutors choose not to seek that punishment, each could be
sentenced to 30 years to life in prison if found guilty of the murder
charge.Wilson was killed shortly after he entered the home at 9:15 a.m. Monday,
authorities said. An arrest warrant said he was shot in the chest and Stewart
said Wilson's hands were handcuffed behind his back when agents found his body
about 12 hours later.After Wilson failed to call in, sheriff's Lt. Deborah
Graham went to the home to check on him. A few minutes later, constable Donnie
M. Ouzts, 63, arrived. As Ouzts stepped from his car, he was shot in the back.
Graham managed to escape unharmed.About 15 minutes later several officers
dragged Ouzts away from the home, but authorities say he died on the way to the
hospital.While Steven Bixby and his 74-year-old father, Arthur, held police at
bay, Rita Bixby holed up in her son's Abbeville apartment and threatened to
begin killing bystanders if her husband or son were hurt, Stewart said.Rita
Bixby surrendered peacefully after several hours, the SLED chief said.Meanwhile,
the standoff at the home went on for 13 hours and involved one of the fiercest
gunfights Stewart said he had seen in his 30 years of law enforcement. The
battle was so intense, SLED agents nearly ran out of ammunition.Arthur Bixby was
shot in the chest and remained in the hospital Tuesday, Abbeville Sheriff
Charles Goodwin said. His condition was not available."It's absolutely by the
grace of God no other officers were killed or seriously injured," Stewart
said.The Bixbys were angry about the road widening that would take about 20 feet
of their land, the state Transportation Department said. The state said it
purchased the right of way from the previous landowner more than 40 years
ago.The dispute was the first time deputies had any problems from the Bixbys,
Goodwin said.Arthur and Rita Bixby wrote a letter to several state officials
just days before the standoff complaining about the start of construction work
and claiming the state illegally obtained the land from the previous
owner."General John Stark, of New Hampshire, said: 'Live Free Or Die!' " the
Bixbys wrote. "We the undersigned echo those sentiments!"At his court
appearance, Steven Bixby said he was from New Hampshire and cited various parts
of that state's constitution and federal law to back his contention that
deputies came to his parents' home illegally.Steven Bixby, his face still puffy
and red from the tear gas officers pumped into the home during the standoff, did
not answer when a reporter asked him if he was a member of a militia, saying
anyone who believes in the right to bear arms belongs to a militia."I love this
country," Bixby said in front of a dozen police officers providing security to
the courtroom. "I just can't stand the bastards in it."Before he entered the
courtroom from a different area, Bixby shouted out to his mother that he loved
her.Rita Bixby had just finished her hearing. When a judge asked her if she had
anything to say, Bixby said "I'm not guilty, your honor. I'm not guilty."When
she was told she could end up in prison for life or worse, Rita Bixby hung her
head in her cuffed hands.The shootings shocked the 26,000 people of Abbeville
County, where Sheriff Goodwin said no officers had been killed in the line of
duty since the 1700s.Wilson was single. He was hired by Abbeville County in
April 1996 and promoted to sergeant this past June, Goodwin said.The slain
deputy was a "very outstanding young man, very dedicated," an emotional Goodwin
said.The sheriff also knew constable Ouzts, a father of two, who occasionally
assisted deputies. "That's what he was doing on this particular day," Goodwin
said. "Helping his fellow man."