Man cleared of attempted murder

LAURIE MASON
COURIER TIMES

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP Shannon Belton was charged with firing a gun into a crowd at a 2003 party.

A Bristol Township man won't stand trial for attempted murder charges stemming from a 2003 gunfight in the Venice Ashby section of the township, a judge ruled this week.

Shannon Belton, 23, was arrested in December following a grand jury investigation. Police say he fired several shots into a crowd at a Foster Avenue Circle picnic July 5, 2003. The fight involved numerous people and police say they believe there was more than one gunman, court records say.

Donta Jones, 25, of Bristol Township, was shot in the hand, arm and leg. Bullets narrowly missed other people, including children.

At a preliminary hearing in Bristol Township Wednesday, Belton's attorney, Michael Parlow, argued that witnesses didn't positively identify Belton as the shooter.

"They said he was there, but no one ever placed the gun in his hand. That's not enough to hold someone for attempted murder," Parlow said.

District Justice Joanne Kline agreed and dismissed charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, possessing instruments of crime, disorderly conduct, riot and conspiracy.

Parlow said Belton feels "vindicated" by the judge's ruling.

"He has always maintained his innocence in this case. He said he had nothing to do with the shooting," Parlow said.

Belton still faces charges on an unrelated drug case, court records show.

Reprinted with permission from Bucks County Courier Times