Tennessee Mother Faces Murder Charges After Fatal Shooting of Man Found Under Daughter's Bed

A disturbing incident has unfolded in Tennessee, where a mother, Kendra Scott, has been charged with first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man, Rodderius Morton. According to an arrest affidavit, the events leading to the shooting began when Scott's 13-year-old daughter invited Morton to their home around 1 a.m. Upon discovering Morton hiding under her daughter's bed, Scott allegedly shot him outside their Memphis home. The affidavit states that Scott had previously warned her daughter that if she found a boy in their house, she would 'put a hole in his ass.' The incident has raised questions about the use of deadly force in protection of one's family and home. Scott's lawyer, Blake Ballin, described the situation as 'the worst nightmare of any parent of a 13-year-old girl,' adding that it 'ended in tragedy.' The case has also drawn commentary from a retired law enforcement officer, Buddy Smith, who noted that the circumstances of the shooting may not qualify under Tennessee's Castle Doctrine, which protects individuals from criminal prosecution for using reasonable force against an intruder. Smith explained that the doctrine applies when someone breaks into a residence to commit a violent felony, but in this case, 'the affidavit does not allege that [Morton] threatened the mother or anyone else at that time.' The matter is set to be heard in court, where the judge will determine Scott's bond. The community is left grappling with the complexities of this case, which highlights the delicate balance between protecting one's family and the law.