CBS News/ October 25, 2012, 6:57 PM

Burglary suspect sues 90-year-old who shot him

GREENBRAE, Calif. A 90-year-old California man who survived being shot in the jaw by a burglar in January is being sued by the would-be thief, who was injured when the elderly man returned fire, CBS San Francisco reported.

Samuel Cutrufelli claims in the suit that Jay Leone negligently shot him, the Marin Independent Journal reported.

Leone, of Greenbrae, Calif., told CBS San Francisco in January that Cutrufelli kicked in the door to his home and held him captive at gunpoint while he searched the house for valuables.

Leone then asked to use the bathroom, where the former Marin County sheriff's deputy had hidden a revolver. When the homeowner returned and pointed it at the burglar, Cutrufelli fired a shot with his own weapon, hitting Leone in the cheek.

Despite the intruder's pleas, Leone returned fire, hitting Cutrufelli with three shots. Cutrufelli then rushed toward Leone.

"Sure enough, he wrestled me to the floor, put the gun to my head, pulled the trigger and it went, 'Click,'" Leone told CBS San Francisco following the home invasion. "And then he got all panicky. He ran out the door."

Cutrufelli, who told police he had shot himself, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and attempted murder. He is nearing the end of his criminal trial, according to the Marin Independent Journal.

Leone said he would countersue.

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
4 Comments Add a Comment
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lymanboater says:
only in cal
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IAMCS says:
The world is totally screwed up!
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ammo17 says:
california,he will get the money,no problem.
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Valhalla0907 replies:
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DNA is starting to free the innocent, convict the guilty. Before long, all citizens will be DNA typed at birth.