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West Virginia man arrested for shooting self and lying about it to avoid jail time

Jerry Harlow was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm and providing false information to police.

By Evan Bleier
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RICHWOOD, W.Va., April 25 (UPI) -- A West Virginia man whose plan apparently involved turning a gun on himself in order to avoid jail time saw it backfire…

When police responded to Jerry Harlow’s Richwood home in December 2013 to investigate reports of a shooting, they found the 47-year-old with a bullet lodged in his leg.

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According to a release from the West Virginia State Police, Harlow told them “that an individual driving a white vehicle stopped in front of his residence” and shot him.

He was taken to the hospital and released.

This week, police interviewed Harlow again after lab results from the gunshot residue test were obtained.

“Probable cause was established to arrest Mr. Harlow for being a felon in possession of a firearm and providing false information to the West Virginia State Police,” according to the release. “It is believed that Mr. Harlow shot himself in an attempt to avoid possible jail time for previously committed criminal activity.”

Harlow was arraigned and released on bond.

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