Man shot by deputy was struck 3 times

A Kenly man fatally shot last month by a Johnston sheriff's deputy was struck three times by gunfire, according to an autopsy report made public today.

Reginald Lee Witcher was shot in the left upper chest, the back and the upper thigh, according to the report by the state medical examiner's office. The gunshot wounds to the chest and back were fatal, according to the report.

Based on the autopsy findings, Witcher, 54, also was intoxicated. He had a blood alcohol concentration of .30; a driver is presumed impaired with a reading of .08.

The report noted that Witcher had multiple blunt force injuries, with abrasions on his forehead, around his right elbow and on his left leg and foot, as well as contusions on his right hand and abrasions on the back of his neck.

Sheriff's officials have said that Witcher fired at deputies from inside his home on the night of Nov. 22 and that Deputy J.K. Garner returned fire. A neighbor of Witcher's who had been at the home that night has said that Witcher never fired but was putting away a shotgun at the time.

Tapes of calls to 911 released this month show Garner and Deputy A.J. Case went to Witcher's home after EMS workers answering a call there reported a woman had been assaulted and someone at the scene had a gun.

Members of Witcher's family have hired Raleigh attorney Richard Hunter to investigate the circumstances of his death.

Hunter said his inquiries have shown that Witcher was fired at eight times. One of the Witchers' dogs, a Dalmatian, was also killed.

Hunter said he is still compiling information from forensic evidence and interviews.

"We're still working on our intensive investigation," he said Tuesday.