JACKSON Tenn (April 8, 2015) – Before Monday’s shooting Michael J. Stitts had already accumulated a record of being a violent offender.
The 42-year-old has multiple prior convictions including, 3 convictions for Aggravated Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Aggravated Burglary, and Theft of Property.
According to court documents, Michael Stitts adult criminal record began in 1992 when the then 20-year-old plead guilty on two counts of Aggravated Assault, one count of Reckless Endangerment, and one count of Escape. Stitts was sentenced to an effective sentence of 8 years and ordered to have no contact with the female victim. Stitts was represented by Jay Ford, and George Googe, Public Defender Office.
In October 2000, Stitts was again charged with Aggravated Assault against a woman. According to the victim statement, who was Stitts estranged wife, Michael Stitts broke into her home through a rear window and assaulted her multiple times with a blunt object. The victim said she tried to call police but the phone line was dead. According to police the phone line on the side of the house had been cut and broken. There was an active order of protection against Stitts at the time of the attack.
Michael Stitts was found guilty of Aggravated Assault by a jury and sentenced to nine years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. He was also fined $10,000. As a repeat offender he was ordered to serve at least 35% of the sentence before being eligible for release. Stitts was represented by the Steve Spracher, Public Defenders office.
2003 tornado destroyed the Public Defenders office and took many of the office records with it. George Googe didn’t have any specific recollection of the case in 1992, Spracher is no longer with the Public Defenders office.
Despite the 2001 conviction, Michael Stitts was back on the streets by 2004. Police records show he was accused and arrested for stalking the victim of his previous assault. In December of 2004 Stitts was tried for his third domestic offense, Felony Stalking, Domestic Abuse.
According to the victim, she observed Stitts on multiple occasions following her or watching her, including around her father’s home, where she bought groceries, and where she bought gas. Her daughter observed Stitts following them. Because Stitts had previously assaulted her, the victim stated she was in fear for her life.
Stitts was represented for the defense by Lowe Finney. The case was tried by a jury. Stitts charges involved the same victim he had been convicted of assaulting in 2001. Stitts was found not guilty by a jury.
By 2011 Michael Stitts would be back in court for his 4th time on felony charges. This time he was charged with felony Theft of Property. Stitts was found guilty of the charges, his third felony conviction, and sentenced to 6 years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections and fined $3,000.
On Thursday, 16, 1:30 p.m., Micheal Stitts will face his fifth felony trip before the court. He is charged with Attempted First Degree Murder, Especially Aggravated Burglary, Felony Possession of a Firearm. The charges involve a shooting that took place Monday April 6 at the home of his ex-girlfriend.  the victim was shot twice with a 28 gauge shotgun.  She remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition.
This is the second Domestic Violence related crime involving a gun in Jackson. On March 23 Virginia Dorris was shot to death at her place of work by her ex-boyfriend, David Laster. Laster turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.
There are efforts to offer services and resources to victims of Domestic Violence. On Tuesday the City Council passed a motion to approve a lease for the Safe Hope Family Justice Center.
Jennifer McCraw, site coordinator of the center said, Statistics show Safe Hope Center will provide easier access to services, increase safety, reduce domestic homicide, and increase successful prosecution of offenders.
