Man shot in break-in sentenced, thanks homeowner for forgiveness
A Butler man apologized Thursday, Jan. 11, for breaking into a home last year and thanked the victim, who shot him, for his forgiveness.
Nathan A. Harvey, 43, spoke to the victim, Jeremy Cox, via video from the county prison before he was sentenced in Butler County Court of Common Pleas to 4 to 12 months in prison.
Harvey pleaded guilty to a felony count of criminal trespass filed by Butler city police.
Judge Timothy McCune gave Harvey credit for the 120 days he’s already served in jail.
Cox said he hopes the incident was a blessing in disguise so Harvey can get the help he needs.
“I could have ended his life very easily,” Cox said.
He said he decided not to end Harvey’s life after ascertaining his state of mind.
Cox said he understands hardship and forgave Harvey, but said he has been severely impacted by the incident.
Harvey apologized and thanked Cox for forgiving him.
On Aug. 30, Cox was home with his girlfriend when they heard banging and scraping noises in the basement.
After grabbing his handgun, he went to investigate the noise and saw a man, who turned out to be Harvey, inside the basement door with a bottle of alcohol.
He said Harvey ignored his instructions to leave, and asked Cox to hide him because the police were looking for him. Cox said Harvey smelled like alcohol and didn’t appear to know where he was or what was going on.
Cox said he warned Harvey numerous times that he had a gun and fired a warning shot, but Harvey stepped toward him. He said he didn’t want to kill Harvey so he shot him in the waist.
Harvey was treated for a grazing gunshot wound to his abdomen at Butler Memorial Hospital, according to police.
