Judge tosses charges in genital shooting

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MILWAUKEE, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin judge said prosecutors failed to prove their case against a felon accused of accidentally shooting himself in the genitals.

Otis Lockett, 27, of Milwaukee, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after prosecutors said he accidentally shot himself twice during the summer, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Wednesday.

Milwaukee police Detective Gena Malanche testified Lockett's wounds were consistent with a self-inflected gunshot from a right-handed shooter.

However, Circuit Judge Charles Kahn dismissed the charge, saying the prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof. He said prosecutors failed to interview other potential witnesses and failed to demonstrate the suspect is right-handed.

The judge warned Lockett, who had said he was shot from behind by an unknown party, to stay away from guns.