Student accused of killing homeless man: I'm afraid
08:29 AM CDT on Monday, April 27, 2009
By Courtney Zubowski / 11 News
The University of Houston student accused of shooting a homeless man in the head at a Metro bus stop says he’s afraid.
From behind bars at the Harris County Jail, Jeremy Pierce told 11 News he’s scared he’ll spend the rest of his life in prison for defending himself.
“I want the public to know I am a good guy, and I did it in self defense,” Pierce said.
In early February, at a campus bus stop, Pierce admits he shot and killed Joe Tall.
Investigators believe Tall was sleeping at the time. In a probable cause hearing last week, investigators said Pierce told them he shot Tall because he believed homeless people were a blight on society and deserved to be eliminated.
But Pierce told 11 News a different story.
“I was walking past a bus stop and a guy kicked at me. I kept walking, and then he punched at me. Then after he punched at me, I shot him,” Pierce said. “That man was not asleep.”
Pierce, a 32-year-old sociology major, said he then fled the scene.
Jeremy Lee Pierce, 32, is facing murder charges.
“I didn’t want to see what happened. I just shot and ran away. I think I shot him in the head,” Pierce said.
He said he routinely carried a gun around campus at night, because crime is a problem there.
But Pierce has a criminal background, including convictions of burglary and marijuana possession.
He’s not allowed to have a gun. That’s why he claims he never told police that he shot Tall.
“Of course I feel bad about what I did. I felt threatened,” Pierce said.
Though investigators say his distaste for the homeless prompted the shooting, Pierce said he’s got nothing against people like Tall.
“I earned my right to be at the University. That homeless guy didn’t earn the right. I have nothing against that guy, but I don’t believe he should be allowed at the University,” Pierce said.
As for his grinning mug shot, Pierce said he was smiling because he thought he was about to get out of jail.
He is set to appear before a judge again Monday morning.
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