Caver found guilty in two-year-old domestic violence case
Published 8:37 pm Tuesday, August 14, 2018
John L. Caver was found guilty of first-degree assault from a two-year-old domestic violence case on Tuesday at the Dallas County Courthouse.
The decision came in Dallas County Circuit Court judge Collins Pettaway Jr.’s courtroom. Sentencing will be held on Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. after a pre-sentence investigation and report. John L. Caver could be sentenced up to 20 years.
The incident began when John L. Caver, 77, shot his son, John Caver during a Super Bowl party on Feb. 7, 2016 on the 2700 block of Etheridge Avenue.
Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson said the dispute began in the elder Caver’s home, where he lived with his then-wife Eliza Ann Caver and their daughter Valerie Caver. His son lived across the street.
According to Jackson, father and son were arguing over chicken wings. John L. Caver shot his son in the chest after Eliza Caver tried to get between them. John L. Caver reached over and shot his son.
“This must have been some really good chicken wings,” Jackson said.
John L. Caver, Eliza Caver and Valerie Caver all gave testimony at the one-day trial, replaying how the shooting took place. John L. Caver alleged his son attacked him. Eliza Caver testified, saying her son didn’t hit her ex-husband.
Valerie Caver, a Licensed Nurse, said she entered the room and tried to get her brother out of the house to avoid the violence. They only moved a few feet before John L. Caver shot his son.
The Selma Police Department responded at 10 p.m. on Feb. 7 and charged John L. Caver with first-degree domestic violence.
“There’s better ways for families to get along,” Pettaway said.