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WARREN – A Liberty man, who was facing murder charges in connection to the May 1 shooting death of his 81-year-old step-grandfather, will not face charges in the case.
Branden D. Cagley, 30, 1780 Lucretia Drive, was not indicted by a Trumbull County grand jury, and was among eight cases that were no billed on Tuesday. The grand jury also returned 31 indictments, including one secret.
Cagley was taken into custody shortly after James Phillips, who lived at the same Lucretia Drive address, was found dead on a bedroom floor, according to a 911 report. A .38-caliber Smith and Wesson special revolver was found in a driveway by police, reports said.
Liberty police Chief Richard Tisone said after speaking to a witness, it was learned that Cagley was protecting his grandmother, Dorothy Phillips. Cagley surrendered to police without incident and was free on a $75,000 bond set by Girard Municipal Court, which was posted May 4.
Trumbull County assistant prosecutor Chris Becker presented the case to the grand jury.
“All I can say is that the case was fully presented, and the grand jury chose not to indict,” Becker said.
Trumbull County Coroner Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk on May 4 ruled Phillips’ death a homicide. The coroner’s report said Phillips died from penetrating gunshot wounds to the back and chest.