80-year-old John Wayne fan puts attacker in hospital

[karyn]

from WFAA

10:06 AM CST on Friday, February 15, 2008

By CHRIS HAWES / WFAA-TV


Immediate justice

Investigators say they were definitely going to rob him - possibly even kill him.

But an 80-year-old North Texan wasn't about to let that happen, so he took action.

One of the suspects is in the hospital and both are facing charges.

Two men obviously thought James Pickett, 80, was an easy target when they showed up at his home on Saturday with a knife.

"He just came through that door, stabbing and beating," said Pickett.

Captain Clint Pullin said it looked as though the men wanted to kill him.

But before you worry too much about Pickett, learn a bit more about him.

He's a WWII veteran, former firefighter and lifelong John Wayne devotee.

In short, even at 80, he is someone you just don't mess with.

What the men didn't know is Picket had taken a pistol and put it in his pocket before opening the door.

The brothers may have planned to kill James Pickett, investigators say.

"He jumped and turned and I shot him," Picket said.

The two brothers, Paul and Holden Perry, ran but didn't get far before calling an ambulance.

A bullet just missed Paul Perry's spine.

"The only problem was I run out of bullets," Picket said.

A neighbor describes Picket as a "hero."

Worried about retribution, friends are sticking close.

Both brothers face assault, burglary and robbery charges.

Deputies assure James Pickett they aren't likely to get out of jail anytime soon but he isn't worried.

"I think I'm a ten times better shot than and he is... But they best not come back," he said.

E-mail chawes@wfaa.com.

[VoldtaEngler]

""The only problem was I run out of bullets," Picket said."

Quote of the year.

[VoltaireBlue]

""The only problem was I run out of bullets," Picket said."

Quote of the year.

no shit. welcome to the south, y'all.

[Bacchus88]

one shot one kill is only thing you need.. We need more people like him, not enough of them still living in the US.

[Head Wreck]

if that were britan JAmes Pickett would be undoubtedly facing charges, firearms use aside

[Bacchus88]

Bnp

[Morning Glory]

well I don't advocate murder for the price of a dvd player. (you can have my cheap stereo when you pry it...etc.) and I honestly worry about if people that have that mentality (shoot first, ask questions later) are better than the alternative. Ghandi said, "there are many things that I would die for, but nothing that I'd kill for." Personally, I don't think much stuff is worth killin OR dyin over.

But I think that this guy acted entirely within his justifiable rights. doesn't make him a hero, just makes him a guy that was able to get on top of a bad situation.

[Vaughn]

""The only problem was I run out of bullets," Picket said."

Quote of the year.

Absolutely.