http://www.theledger.com/local/local/23shot.htm Changed:6:28 AM
on Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Man Dies When Shot by Nephew in Self-Defense Tuesday, April 23, 2002
By JOHN CHAMBLISS
The Ledger

LAKELAND — Joseph Conner, 27, died Monday morning at Lakeland Regional
Medical Center after being shot by his nephew at a cookout Sunday.

An initial investigation shows that Michael Redish, 23, of 6608 Shepherd
Oaks Pass, acted in self-defense when he shot Conner once in the
stomach, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported.

“It appears that he was defending himself,” said sheriff’s Maj. Rick
Sloan. “According to witnesses he was hit several times by (Conner).”

The fight started about 6:40 p.m. at Redish’s home when one of Conner’s
friends, James Fisher, 21, became drunk and threw steaks on the ground,
Sloan said.

Redish and Fisher started to fight and Conner became involved in the
altercation.

“Conner started beating him up and followed him into the bedroom to
continue more of the same,” Sloan said.

When Redish attempted to call 911, Conner threatened to kill him.

Redish then grabbed a .44-caliber magnum in his room and shot Conner,
Sloan said.

Sloan said it was an unfair fight to begin with. Conner stood 6 feet, 3
inches tall and weighed about 240 pounds. Redish is about 5 feet, 10
inches tall and weighs 140 pounds, Sloan said. Sloan said witnesses
never broke up the fight because they were fighting among themselves.

Witness information gathered by detectives will be sent to the State
Attorney’s Office.

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