Cordell Lamar Jude maintained self-defense in the shooting of 29-year-old Daniel Adkins, and claimed Adkins had threatened him with a bat or a pipe.
PHOENIX -
The man who shot and killed another man outside of a Taco Bell earlier this year has been indicted for murder.
Cordell Lamar Jude maintained self-defense in the shooting of 29-year-old Daniel Adkins, and claimed Adkins had threatened him with a bat or a pipe. A weapon was never found at the scene.
"Our decision to prosecute this case is based on a thorough review of the evidence gathered during an extensive investigation by our law enforcement partners, and after a separate and careful analysis of the defendant's assertion of self-defense," said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.
"After engaging in this deliberative process, we are confident in moving forward with our efforts to hold this defendant accountable for his actions."
On the evening of April 3, Daniel Adkins was walking his yellow lab dog through the parking lot of a Taco Bell near 51st Ave and Baseline Road. Cordell Jude was in his car in the drive-thru lane when Adkins stepped in the car's path, causing Jude to slam on his breaks.
Words were exchanged and Adkins struck the vehicle with his hand or possibly the dog leash. Jude later said it was a pipe or bat.
Jude allegedly told police that Adkins was preparing to take another swing at him, and he shot Adkins with a gun he had in his car. He then called police.
Jude was served with the indictment Friday morning, and will be arraigned on August 9.
Family members maintained that Adkins was mentally disabled and had the mental capacity of a 12-year-old.
