Sister: Man charged with killing officer claims self-defense

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The sister of an ex-convict charged with fatally shooting a Memphis police officer during a struggle says her brother was just trying to defend himself because the officer was manhandling him and being too aggressive.

Callie Watkins, 28, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that her brother, 29-year-old Tremaine Wilbourn, told her during a phone conversation after the shooting but before his arrest that he was forcibly pulled out of a car by Officer Sean Bolton on Saturday night. Police have said that Bolton approached the 2002 Mercedes Benz on foot after pulling up in his squad car, and that it was parked illegally during a drug deal.

Watkins said her brother described the officer putting Wilbourn in a hold and telling him to put his arms up. But, she said, Wilbourn told the officer that he couldn't because his arms were restrained. That's when the scuffle escalated, she said.

Police said Wilbourn took out a gun and shot Bolton multiple times. Bolton died at a hospital.
"He needed to defend himself," Watkins said. "It's self-defense against an aggressive officer. It was kill or be killed."

Memphis police spokeswoman Karen Rudolph said that she did not want to "entertain that comment" and that the evidence will speak for itself. Police have said Wilbourn got out of the car, confronted Bolton, and they got into a physical struggle.

Police say Wilbourn turned himself in to authorities Monday, ending a two-day manhunt after the death of Bolton, 33. He appeared briefly in court via video link Wednesday and told a judge he does not yet have a lawyer. The judge scheduled a hearing for Aug. 12 to see whether a lawyer has been hired or a public defender will be appointed. He's being held on $10 million bond.

Wilbourn was on probation for an armed bank robbery. He was sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison and released on probation in July 2014. Wilbourn used marijuana in December 2014 and was ordered to undergo mental health treatment July 7, according to federal court documents.

It's not clear whether Wilbourn was ever evaluated, but his sister said her brother was troubled because he "lived in a box" for so long.

"If you are a real human being, jail is not for you," she said. She also said her family was trying to hire a lawyer.

If you are a real human being, jail is not for you," she said. She also said her family was trying to hire a lawyer


Your absolutely right sis... but you see, 1/2 bro is nothing more then a low life animal. So he is going to spend the rest of his life with the other animals.

And I love your reply to the question of the bank robbery " well, things happen"

Trying to hire a lawyer?.. have you tried the good reverend Al's help hotline.. oh.. you have.. and they are not returning your calls.. I see.

And soon the other animal that just killed the Louisiana cop will join the zoo. He's a star in the low life world. He was already wanted for murder, so he just figured he would kill a cop to.

His social life is now over as well...I am just heartbroken about that.. as I am sure others are as well.

that makes no sense... he couldn't put his arms up, but he could shoot him?

"Him neva dint do nuffin wrong. Him was a good boy"....

Hell, I bet he was about to start college too

I don't know about Tenn., but I have seen some of those " road crews" in Louisiana. So with any luck, and 50 years of good behavior that guy may come out of prison with a degree as a " Vegetation extraction engineer"

Make the family be proud!!!

I was sure he would make other comments, even if its through his family.

It wont fly. Take a life, pay the consequence. There is always some choice.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/08/05/florida-man-arrested-after-attempting-to-carjack-unmarked-police-cruiser/


Here's another one for CCC ( Career criminal college).. with 2 cops sitting in it....Haha

Convicted felon in possession of a firearm... during the commission of a felony drug deal...

Doesn't really leave much room for a "self defense" claim.

yeah, those two facts make him thoroughly screwed,,,

death that occurs in the commission of felony is felony murder,, automatically

actually, he killed a cop... thats a capital felony in it's own, automatic death penalty...

not sure about Tennessee, but in Texas it is....

also true

I commented earlier in the value of cops conversation about automatic death penalty,, but I was corrected

but I believe its probably true in Tennessee too

only one. Insanity

definitely work better than self defense

but I doubt any court appointed exam would find him legally insane

Provided what the outcome of a psych eval. is, there might be a slight chance for a 'diminished capacity' defense.

.

Triple post...