From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The attorney for Bryan Hancock, the 22-year-old Pinson man accused in the March 28 shooting of Randy Young, said the shooting was in self-defense.
Richard Jaffe and Michael Hanle of the Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant and Knight law firm represent Bryan Hancock.
“We are heartened to learn that there appears to be a video of the entire incident which we expect to demonstrate that Brian only shot in self-defense to protect himself from an imminent and ongoing attack,” Hancock’s attorneys said. “He was a passenger in a friend’s car when the altercation occurred.”
Jaffe and Hanle said accusations that the shooting was race-related are “totally false and misplaced.”
“Bryan’s two stepfathers (one is deceased) and niece are African-American, and Bryan is very close with them and many other people of color,” the attorneys said. “He is as far as possible away from any hint of racial bias and in fact, he is the opposite. We expect to ultimately per prevail and stand your ground hearing on the issue of self-defense.”
The law firm said Hancock is devastated over the tragedy and that he “feels deeply for the deceased and his family.”
Young was shot in the head in the parking lot of Cracker Barrel on Norrell Drive. He died after being on life support for two days.
Hancock is facing capital murder and is being held in the Jefferson County Jail with no bond.