Woman: Shot that hit pregnant woman was self-defense

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A 23-year-old Alabama woman says she was acting in self-defense when she fired her gun and hit another woman who was later arrested on manslaughter charges for the death of her own fetus.

In an interview with AL.com, Ebony Jemison said she was “minding her own business” before a December altercation when she shot Marshae Jones in the stomach, killing her 5-month-old fetus.

“I will never get over the baby,” Jeminson said, “but I will get over doing what I had to do to protect myself.”

Jemison was initially charged with manslaughter, but a Jefferson County grand jury declined to indict her after police said an investigation determined Jones started the fight, and that Jemison fired in self-defense.

Jones, 28, was indicted by that same grand jury, which decided she intentionally caused the death of her fetus by starting the fight. News of Jones’ arrest sparked outrage and cries of injustice. Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney Lynneice Washington announced last week her office would not move forward with prosecuting her.

Mark White, an attorney representing Jones, told The Associated Press that Jemison’s account of the incident was “flawed.” He said his firm obtained footage of the altercation showing Jones “in retreat” with “her hands up” when she was shot by Jemison.

Jemison told AL.com she initially clashed with Jones’ friends, getting in arguments and at least one physical fight in the months leading up to the December altercation. The pair were co-workers with the father of Jones’ fetus at a charcoal plant.