Phoenix, AZ-Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery announced this morning that the Grand Jury returned a No Bill, refusing to Indict Scottsdale lawyer David Appleton, 60.  In November 2011, Appleton shot and killed rodeo cowboy, Paul “Tom” Pearson , 50 after a vehicle chase in Scottsdale.  Apparently Pearson did not like Appleton’s driving and began chasing him for miles on the highway.  Appleton sought refuge and concealment in a shopping strip mall but was soon located and attacked by Pearson. Pearson grabbed Appleton by the throat strangling him and the lawyer fired a single shot from a .38 revolver striking him in the heart and spine.  Pearson died from his wound despite EMT lifesaving efforts. As for Appleton he’s told me that not a day has gone by when he has not said a prayer for Pearson’s lovely widow, Vicky and their three daughters.  The death of Pearson added to already hard financial times for the Pearson family.  Do to the ...

Scottsdale, AZ —The November 10th fatal shooting behind the CVS pharmacy at Pima and Pinnacle Peak Roads is still under investigation by the defense team headed by Phoenix attorney, Richard D. Gierloff . There are still unanswered questions about battery and used golf cart store proprietor, Paul “Tom” Pearson , 50 (DOB 02-17-61), his habits and business dealings. Don’t assume for a second that the information you may possess is already known. Please, out of simple fairness and necessity please share it with the defense team. Thomas' personal vehicle sported a dealer’s plate registered to his battery business that is a licensed motor vehicle dealership. The problem is they were not selling cars. Such use of a dealer’s plate is in violation of state law. There are many unanswered questions bout Pearson and why he used his own three-ton vehicle as a deadly weapon threatening David Appleton for nearly two miles in busy Scottsdale traffic. Please contact me at the phone number or...

Scottsdale, AZ —As soon as Scottsdale police arrested long time lawyer David Appleton , sordid half-truths, lies and damn lies began to surface. The arrest was not backed by any evidence of a crime. A detective simply refused to accept the only living witness’ account of the violent assault and justifiable use of deadly force. The evidence shows that the dead man Paul “Tom” Pearson was responsible for his own sudden demise. Facts: 1. The dead man was felled by a close to contact bullet wound to the chest. 2. Blood was observed on Appleton’s driver’s side door at on the ground with the fatally wounded assailant. 3. The dead man reportedly told his cousin over the phone that he was chasing someone that ran a traffic control device. That conversation ended with the dead man making a challenge, “You won’t shoot me with that gun!” That challenge was made as Appleton’s attacker had his massive hand squeezing his throat. 4. Police falsely stated there was no sign of injury or the att...

Scottsdale, AZ —I must say every driver has experienced the rude or inconsiderate motorist make offensive or even dangerous maneuvers. Many of us feel there’s never a cop around when you need one. The urge to take the law into our own hands is one that fortunately passes quickly for most of us. The event of November 10th at Pima and Pinnacle Peak Roads killed one man and changed the life of another forever. Valley Battery, and used golf cart shop proprietor Paul “Tom” Pearson , 50 apparently became angered at a maneuver of David Appleton , 59 a lawyer. Pearson chased Appleton North on Pima Road passing his by own home on Los Gatos for more than a mile. Pearson caught up with Appleton who fled into the strip mall containing a CVS store to hide from Pearson. That failed when Pearson quickly located his prey. The larger and younger Pearson quickly exited his vehicle and aggressively charged up to Appleton’s driver’s side car window. Pearson grabbed Appleton by his shirt and throat ...

Phoenix, AZ—David Appleton has had a very rough and expensive week. Last Thursday night the 59 year-old lawyer was chased down Pima Road by an angry driver who cornered him behind a drug store, jumped out of his vehicle and attempted to strangle him. Appleton apparently produced a .38 revolver in an effort to halt the attack. When the sight of the gun had no effect on his younger assailant a single shot ended the life of an angry, Paul “Tom” Pearson. Scottsdale police refused to believe Appleton’s claims of self-defense and arrested him on murder charges. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office reviewed the known facts and physical evidence and found there was insufficient evidence to support the charges. Prosecutors motioned the court this morning to dismiss the direct complaint. Should the Scottsdale police find enough evidence for probable cause they may bring it forward to prosecutors for prosecution. For now Dave Appleton is free. Everyone in the defense side of this case inclu...

Scottsdale, AZ —Last Thursday nights fatal shooting at Pima and Pinnacle Peak Roads outside of the CVS Drug Store needs further investigation. With minimal evidence cops chose to arrest long time Scottsdale lawyer David Appleton, 59 for murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Paul “Tom” Pearson , 50. The facts are that Pearson took offense to Appleton’s driving and decided to chase down and assault the older lawyer. Apparently Pearson selected the wrong person to place in a martial arts sleeper hold. The lawyer was lawfully armed with a .38 caliber revolver and shot his assailant in obvious self-defense. Appleton is not without friends that know he is a gentle and reasonable man. These folks met me at the scene of the shooting to speak of for their friend. Additionally these folks also expressed sadness for the dead man’s family saying this tragedy did not have to happen if Pearson simply let pass whatever driving failure he had witnessed. You can’t simply reach through t...

Scottsdale, AZ —Long time lawyer Dave Appleton, 59 apparently called police for help because a motorist had chased him and threatened him with a motor vehicle. The chase ended in a fatal shooting at a CVS pharmacy parking lot at Pima and Pinnacle Peak Roads @ 7:30 PM. The aggressor, Paul "Tom" Pearson, 50 , attacked Appleton through the window of his Toyota SUV. Soon thereafter the Pearson lay dead from a single gunshot. Police grilled Appleton for hours and finally charged him with Second Degree Murder despite a claim to self-defense. Appleton told police the younger man was trying to strangle him. I’ve known Appleton for 25 years and found him to be a bookish and gentle soul. He is hardly a combatant and I know him to be reasonable and anything but aggressive. He’s not the kind of guy that would flip off another driver with a middle finger or look for trouble. I can't imagine him hurting a soul unless he was in fear of his life. I suspect that a lot of people kn...