Prosecutor: Fatal shooting of New Castle man appears to be self-defense

ANDERSON, Ind. — Charges will apparently not be filed in the fatal shooting of a New Castle resident last week in Anderson.

According to Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings, 40-year-old Michael P. Piercy approached a man he did not know in downtown Anderson about 10 p.m. on July 8, struck him in the face and took his cell phone.

The man produced a handgun and shot Piercy in a parking lot near Meridian and Ninth streets. Piercy, described in reports as being homeless, was pronounced dead at an Anderson hospital.

In interviews, the Madison County prosecutor said it appeared the shooting was in self-defense, under circumstances that otherwise could have resulted in Piercy being charged with robbery.

Piercy, listed in court documents at addresses in both New Castle and Anderson, had compiled at least 10 convictions in Henry County since 2001.

He has been convicted of crimes there including battery resulting in bodily injury, burglary, carrying a handgun without a license, domestic battery, failure to register as a sex offender, possession of meth, sexual misconduct with a minor and theft.

A state Department of Correction website reflected he was most recently released from custody in April.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.