FALLS CITY – A Richardson County jury has found that a U.S. Army veteran acted in self defense when firing shots during a 2018 incident in Salem.

James Liming, 47, was accused of assaulting Buddy Graves and firing shots after Graves and Matt Hillyard retreated to their car.

Defense Attorney Chad Wythers said after hearing all of the evidence, the jury found Liming not guilty.

Wythers: “At the end of the day, at the close of all of the testimony, the 12 people from Richardson County simply decided to believe Mr. Liming --  that he believed his life was in danger and he was at risk of serious bodily injury and he had the right to do what he needed to do to defend himself. I think they got it right.”

Court records say Liming was visiting the home of his girlfriend, Shannon Roberts, when the men showed up on the property. Roberts later told News Channel Nebraska she confronted the men because she was convinced they had criminal intent.

Wythers said during the confrontation, Liming stepped between them.

Wythers: “And James Liming did what we would ask any person to do, which is to defend the people who are right. We all want neighbors like James Liming. We all want people like James Liming in our life who are willing to stand up and protect people against unnecessary aggression.”

Liming was arrested on allegations that he hit Graves in the head with his pistol and pointed the gun at Graves and pulled the trigger. Wythers said the alleged victims contradicted themselves at trial.

He said Graves claimed that Liming, a decorated combat veteran with tours in Afghanistan, stood only a few feet in front of him and fired three shots, but they all missed.

Hillyard said no shots were fired. He told the jury that Liming pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed.

Wythers: “Right there you have these two attackers who can’t even get their story straight.”
”… Considering neither one of those people could be believed, the only thing left to do is believe Mr. Liming, the veteran. He said he didn’t point the gun at anybody’s head. He was on the ground in front of the vehicle and simply discharged the gun into the vehicle.”

Withers said Liming fired the shots into the engine block hoping to disable the car so that it could not be used to run him over.

Liming had earlier lost an appeal that his right to a speedy trial was violated.