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Judge Reduces Charge Against Homeowner

Closing arguements are expected today in the trial of a Detroit homeowner who is accused in the shooting death of a man he caught breaking into his house.

Over prosecution objections, Wayne County Circuit Judge Michael Hathaway threw out a second-degree murder charge against Tigh Croff and reduced it to manslaughter saying Croff was provoked before the shooting.

Hathaway says Croff had been victim of at least two other recent burglaries.

Police say the 31-year-old Croff returned home Dec. 28 to find 53-year-old Herbert Silas and another man in his back yard. Authorities say Croff chased Silas to the next street, where they say the drunken burglar taunted Croff before Croff shot him.

© MMX WWJ Radio, All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to his report.

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