St. Clair County Presiding Circuit Court Judge Charles Robinson dismissed the charges against Vincent Calamusa, 32.
Calamusa was charged with attempted murder in the October 2009 shooting of his wife, Stephanie Calamusa, and her brother, Carl Thomas Bridges Jr.
Vincent Calamusa also suffered a gunshot wound.
Assistant District Attorney Lamar Williamson said the District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Department were against dismissal.
Stephanie Calamusa read aloud a sworn statement in court before the ruling saying she was unsure of the facts surrounding the shootings and her husband may have been acting in self-defense.
Williamson said the District Attorney’s Office believes he shot his wife and was shot by Bridges, who was protecting his sister.
Attorney Lance Bell, who represents Vincent Calamusa, said Bridges is unable to give testimony regarding the case without incriminating himself in another matter.
“We had no choice but to present that information (sworn statement) to the defense and to the court,” Williamson said. “Based on the sworn statement, the District Attorney’s Office is unable to proceed.”
Robinson said based on the evidence presented Thursday, he did not feel the District Attorney’s Office could proceed.
“I’ll say this to you, Mr. Calamusa, you are getting quite a break today,” Robinson said. “All three of you are lucky to be here.”
Bell said his client was charged with two Class A felonies of attempted murder.
“I’ve said self-defense from the day I met Mr. Calamusa,” Bell said. “And now I’m glad the victim has come forward in asking for the cases to be dismissed. Mr. Calamusa has maintained his innocence from the beginning, and is relieved to have these cases dismissed ...”
Contact Elsie Hodnett at ehodnett@dailyhome.com.
