The Texas Attorney General announced that a Texas man, who killed his ex-husband while they were arguing over custody of their children, will not be facing criminal charges as it was self-defense.
William ‘Kyle’ Carruth, 39, opened fire on Chad Read, 54, after the two squared up to each other and wrestled over a gun in Lubbock on November 5.
A special grand jury found Carruth will not be charged because the argument was on his property and the shooting was in self-defense, Attorney General Ken Paxton said on Thursday.
Carruth was the ex-husband for Ann-Marie Carruth of the 72nd District Judge. He was not arrested in connection with the shooting.
Judge Carruth was defeated in her bid for reelection in March. He will remain in office until December.
It was a custody dispute between Chad Read (and his ex-wife Christina) that led to the shooting. Carruth was involved in the arguments.
Jennifer Read was Read’s newly married woman and filmed what happened when her husband died from gunshots by Carruth. She released the footage.
In the disturbing footage, Read is heard asking for his 9-year-old son to be seen outside Carruth before he shoots him.
Pictured: Kyle Carruth (left in a black top and holding a rifle) and Chad Read (right wearing a teal top) are seen in a grab from mobile phone footage squaring off outside a home that reportedly belongs to Carruth
William ‘Kyle’ Carruth opened fire on Chad Read after the two squared up against each other and wrestled over a gun in Lubbock, Texas, on November 5.
Carruth will not face criminal charges for shooting dead his girlfriend’s ex-husband during a child custody argument because the argument unfolded on his property and was carried out in self-defense, a Texas grand jury found
Jennifer Read, the widow of Chad Read (left), released video footage that shows the moment her husband was killed and shot by Carruth
Jennifer Read, now that the criminal investigation is over, will file a $50 million civil wrongful-death lawsuit.
“Apparently, in Texas it is okay to take a gun to a verbal altercation with the ex and kill him.” She wrote that the’special grand jury’ was only for entertainment on Facebook.
“I do not know of any other witnesses for Chad. The couple didn’t enjoy being bombarded with phone calls, so they made this statement to claim they did it. But I can assure you that they were not there for Chad Read.
According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office exempted itself from investigation due to Carruth’s relationships with the judge.
The Texas Attorney General’s Office handled the prosecutions in the case after investigators handed over their findings.
‘The presentation of the case included several eyewitnesses, family of Chad Read, and additional evidence that was not previously released to the public,’ Paxton announced.
After several days of careful inspection, the Special Grand Jury concluded its investigation of the matter. They then deliberated about whether or not the evidence supports the filing of criminal accusations against Kyle Carruth.
“The Special Grand Jury voted today not to indict Kyle Carruth for criminal charges.”
After the killing, Judge Carruth, made an affidavit in their divorce case saying she been ‘notified that my husband…is under investigation for the shooting and killing of his girlfriend’s children’s father after he attempted to pick up his children.’
Jennifer Read’s lawyer, Jennifer Read, released a statement following the verdict of the jury stating that the criminal justice system had “utterly failed” her
According to us, Kyle Carruth did not have a legitimate reason to carry a weapon in an argument he didn’t even participate in. Chad Read died unarmed, shot and killed while simply trying to determine the whereabouts of his son,’ Jennifer’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, told Law&Crime.
A special grand jury determined that Carruth won’t face prosecution on Thursday according to Attorney General Ken Paxton
Jennifeer Read took to Facebook on Friday to condemn the AG’s office’s response to her husband’s killing
Ann-Marie Carruth’s ex husband is Kyle Carruth. After Chad Read’s tragic death, the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office withdrew from the investigation. Her office was not allowed to handle the case, and she cited Judge Carruth (Kyle Carruth’s ex) as her reason.
“The civil matter was placed on hold while we await the results of the criminal proceedings. The civil matter of Jennifer Read will be pursued vigorously in civil court.
Jennifer Read also sought custody of Chad Read’s 9-year-old and 14-yearold children.
“They are aware that Kyle Carruth killed their father in front their mother, stepbrother and me,” she stated last year in court filings.
A judge denied her petition for custody in January. According to her lawyer, she cannot sue again because the previous lawsuit was filed by Chad Read after his death.
Her attorney stated that Texas law requires one of the child’s blood relatives to file suit to get custody. Mrs. Read said she was disappointed to learn that her family has not stepped in to help the children.
Judge Carruth was defeated in her bid for reelection in March. She will still be in office until December. Kyle divorced Carruth shortly after the shooting. Above, their children and spouses in 2019.
Chad Read (left) was married to Jennifer Read (right) when he was shot dead
Jennifer captured Chad’s final moments from the car that was parked outside Kyle Carruth’s South Lubbock residence. It showed Chad fighting with Carruth and his ex-wife.
From the mobile phone video, it appeared that Chad Read and Kyle Carruth were arguing on the porch of the house, with Christina Read standing to the right.
Kyle Carruth told Read, “Get off of my land!” Chad Read gesticulated with his arms as Carruth turned around to go inside the house.
Read turned around and continued talking to his ex-wife, telling her that he wanted his son, who he was supposed to have custody of from 3.15pm that day, according to Jennifer in an affidavit filed after the incident.
I get him at 3.15. He can be viewed up to 3.15. You try to hide my son from me. I will drag Ann-Marie and all the other people into court.’ He replied.
Carruth returned to the house with a gun, and shouted “leave” at Read.
Now face-to-face, Carruth fired one shot into the floor at the pair’s feet, which did not appear to deter Read, who continued to push against Carruth.
Carruth then jumped back away from the porch, raised the rifle and fired two shots at Chad, who slumped to the floor.
After the shooting, Jennifer Read accused Christina Read and Kyle Carruth of conspiring to kill her slain husband, claiming that Chad Read had evidence of the couple’s affair and threatened to make it public.
In an affidavit filed last year, she claimed that Kyle Carruth and Christina Read had been having an affair.
According to the affidavit, Chad Read told Christina Read on October 30, 2021 that he had evidence that she was having an affair with Kyle Carruth. He also stated that he would make it public.
Jennifer further suggested that Carruth was plotting to Chad Read with Christina Read. She pointed out some moments in the video which she believes suggest it.
Carruth’s attorney cited the Castle Doctrine as a Texas law that permits someone to ‘defend himself, others, or his property’. Carruth claimed last year that the shooting was justifiable.
A special grand jury ruled that he would not be indicted on Thursday.