News-Record.com

Yet another Court of Appeals case offers a glimpse of life on the streets of Greensboro with the foolish and trigger-happy.

It stems from the murder conviction of one Khalil Jacobs in Guilford County Superior Court, Judge Stuart Albright presiding, in October 2007.

It seems the previous March 20, Mr. Jacobs encountered two gentlemen of his acquaintance, George Nichols and Dana Hampton, at a gas station/convenience store on East Market Street. Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Nichols previously had conducted a business transaction -- a legal one -- but the financial terms had not been met to Mr. Jacobs' satisfaction. The mood became tense, and Mr. Jacobs produced a handgun, which he subsequently used to end the life of Mr. Nichols.

Mr. Hampton, meanwhile, did not play a passive role in this drama. As he recounted events, in his own winsome way with words, on the witness stand during trial:

Hampton: "They had a couple of words ... (defendant) jumps out, (and defendant and Nichols) start conversating at the beginning of the car but it sounds like -- it sounds like altercation fixing to go on ..."

Mr. Hampton further testifies that Mr. Jacobs "had his hand in his pocket the whole time. So he comes out his pocket ..."

Counsel: "Did you see him do this?"

Hampton: "Yes, sir."

Counsel: "Okay. Could you tell what (defendant) had?"

Hampton: "Maybe like a small revovler."

Counsel: "What did you do?"

Hampton: "I reached for the gun in the back seat and I start firing back."

Apparently without effect ... reminding us that sometimes the only difference between murder and sport is aim.

Mr. Jacobs' defense was no more effective. He attempted to introduce evidence pertaining to the character of Mr. Nichols, contending that he would not have acted aggressively because he was fully aware that his adversary, and Mr. Nichols' frequent companion Mr. Hampton, were not men to be trifled with.

Judge Albright did not allow the introduction of this evidence and, to make matters worse for Mr. Jacobs, sentenced him to life in prison without parole following the jury's rendering of a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree.

Judge Albright's actions prompted the appeal by Mr. Jacobs. Alas, he was unsuccessful at the next level as well, although one appeals court judge, Linda McGee, did find merit in two of his four claims. On that basis, Mr. Jacobs gained the right to appeal once again, this time to the N.C. Supreme Court.

I don't know how that will turn out for him, but I'm sure the justices will enjoy reading all the trial transcripts and other filings.

The really interesting character here is Mr. Hampton. When I looked up his Department of Correction record, however, I learned he is actually one-half of a father-son family tradition -- and I'm afraid I can't tell which half.

Here's Dana Hale Hampton, 48, also known as Pete.

Here's Dana Hale Hampton Jr., 24.

Both had drug and weapons convictions prior to 2007 but neither since then has a conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Yet we can read in the trial transcript that Dana Hampton said that he shot at Khalil Jacobs on March 20, 2007.

He should have been charged.

Even sport shooting isn't allowed for convicted felons.