Spring man found not guilty of murder in brother's shooting death

A Spring man charged with murder in the death of his 26-year-old half-brother has been found not guilty.

John Lancey, 33, shot the man in 2013 after a Sunday afternoon football watch party turned violent.

"This was a self-defense case from the very beginning," Lancey said Friday. "He attacked me, he ran at me."

Jurors sided with Lancey last week and agreed it was self-defense, acquitting him after a two-day trial in the 184th state District court, according to court records.

Lancey said toxicology reports showed that Carl Beard had crystal methamphetamine in his system and was agitated when he arrived at Lancey's home about 3:40 p.m. on Oct. 20, 2013.

Beard and his girlfriend came to watch football, but she came in crying and told Lancey that she and Beard had been fighting.

Lancey then went outside and an argument ensued. Lancey went back inside and, fearing for his safety, retrieved his gun. He went back outside where he said Beard threatened him, then lunged at him. It was then, Lancey said, that he fired the gun, killing his brother.