(IL) Felon uses firearm to rescue woman–won’t be charged 09-27-02
This is an interesting GSL Story 
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(IL) Felon uses firearm to rescue woman–won’t be charged 09-27-02
Man who rescued woman was felon who served time in Minnesota
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3330148.html
Associated Press
Published Sep 27, 2002 MAIL28
MADISON, Ill. — A man who heard screams and rushed into a home to
save
a woman from an attacker is a convicted felon who may have been
risking
a return to prison, police said.
Lamont Cunningham, 28, came to the aid of 43-year-old Debra Economy
when
a man dressed as a mail carrier attacked her. Police arrested 51-
year-old William T. Ciccia of Pell Lake, Wis., and charged him with
home
invasion after he allegedly pretended to have a package for Economy
and
then jolted her repeatedly with a stun gun.
Cunningham picked up a 70-pound concrete flower pot and hit Ciccia
over
the head, according to police. Ciccia was bleeding but chased
Cunningham
from the home, and Cunningham drew a gun and fired a warning shot.
Weapons possession is illegal for a felon, but he is not being charged
for it.
“It?s kind of hard to charge a guy if he just saved somebody?s
life,?? Madison Police Lt. Steve Shelby said. “He?s a hero, I
would say.??
Cunningham served time in a Minnesota prison for aggravated robbery
and
second-degree assault. Police said he now goes by the alias Jarrett
McDougle. Madison County charges are pending against McDougle for
allegedly punching and choking a girlfriend last spring.
Asked whether he considers himself a hero, he said: “In some ways.
But
I wouldn?t really press the issue. I just helped the lady because I
had to. I was in the situation.
“I still keep playing the thing in my head. It was like a movie or
something.??
When police arrived at the scene, Cunningham was holding a board over
Ciccia and threatening him. It took a while to sort out who was the
perpetrator.
“You?ve got a bloody mailman,?? Shelby said.
“You don?t know what?s going on.”
Ciccia also is charged in an Aug. 25 attempted robbery of a Palatine
jewelry store. In that case, police said, he used a stun gun but the
store owner fought him off with karate.
Police said Ciccia told them he meant to tie up Economy, steal jewelry
and leave. He told police he stole the postal uniform from a Chicago
store.
Economy was grateful for the rescue, regardless of Cunningham’s
record.
“People can change,?? she said. “All I know is that if it
wouldn?t have been for him, I don?t know what would have happened to
me.??
