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Father's reaction to Big O Tires verdict
Posted: 06.11.2011 at 8:22 PM
Updated: 06.12.2011 at 6:35 AM
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Logan McClelland  / FOX21: file photo
Photo

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Friday's verdict is still sinking in for Tom McClelland. His son, 19-year-old Logan McClelland, was found guilty of reckless manslaughter in the shooting death of a Big O Tires mechanic in August of 2010.

"We were hoping for no conviction, but in lieu of the charges, we are accepting their verdict," Tom McClelland, Logan's father, said.

It's a class four felony that carries a penalty of 2-6 years in the Department of Corrections in the presumptive range and up to 12 years if the judge finds extenuating circumstances.

Tom McClelland said the shooting was a tragic situation, and he and his son are living with the consequences. Logan's defense argued the seven shots he fired were all in self-defense, and his dad agrees.

"Someone lost a parent, a father and we are sympathetic to them," Tom said. " We must live, both families, with the consequences of that day.  We didn't want this, we tried to leave."

Though Tom McClelland accepted the charges, he's upset over how investigators treated he and his son. He said he was stunned that after 12 phone calls in 20 days no one would return his calls. He went on to say it seemed like after the first 24 hours they cast us aside.

"To say that we're disappointed is an understatement in this investigation," Tom said.

As far as the jail time Logan McClelland is facing, his father said he will wait to see how the sentencing goes on Aug. 17.

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