Point Arena, California — A jury has determined that the shooting death of 54-year-old Kevin Taeuffer on July 11, 2024, was justified as an act of self-defense. The shooter, 48-year-old Pan Jasper Brady, who is a convicted felon, now faces sentencing for illegally possessing the firearm he used in the confrontation.
The jury found that Brady acted within his rights under California law when he shot Taeuffer during an altercation outside his home. Despite the self-defense ruling, the jury did convict Brady of two felonies: possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon. These convictions stem from his prior felony conviction in 2008 for possessing methamphetamine while armed.
Following the shooting, Brady contacted emergency services around 8 p.m., informing them he had shot a man. Upon arriving, deputies reported that Brady had secured the firearm and was awaiting police assistance. Medical personnel were unable to assist Taeuffer until law enforcement cleared the scene, where he was pronounced dead from at least one gunshot wound.
Initially arrested on suspicion of homicide, Brady was held in custody with a bail set at $1 million but was released the next day on a $500,000 bond. At the time of his release, formal charges had yet to be filed, prompting frustration from friends and family of Taeuffer, who described him as a joyful and hardworking individual.
In court, Brady testified that he acted in self-defense, citing imminent danger during the confrontation. California law permits lethal force if an individual reasonably believes they are at risk of immediate harm. The prosecution’s challenge was substantial since only Brady survived to present an account of the incident.
Prosecutors acknowledged the complexity of proving self-defense in situations with only one witness to the altercation. They stated that the burden of proof lay with them to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that Brady’s actions were unjustified.
Despite being acquitted of homicide, Brady’s illegal possession of the shooting weapon was evident. Evidence presented during the trial confirmed that he lacked the legal right to own firearms or ammunition due to his previous felony conviction.
The trial unfolded over two weeks before Judge Keith Faulder, who will oversee Brady’s sentencing on the weapons charges, scheduled for September 4, 2025. Senior Deputy District Attorney Robert Waner led the prosecution, while investigations were conducted by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office and the forensic lab of the California Department of Justice.
Brady now awaits the findings of a probation report, which may influence his sentencing decision. Although he has been cleared of homicide charges, he still faces potential incarceration for the illegal possession of the weapon involved in this tragic incident.
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