Stanton Moretti, Jr.
FAYETTEVILLE -- New charges were filed in the case of a Fayetteville man who police say ran over another man after that man attacked his wife. Stan Moretti, 41, faces one count of first degree murder and another count of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill.
Police say Moretti ran over Aaron McLeod, 28, with his SUV. Moretti told officers he was chasing McLeod after the man attacked his wife with a knife outside of Primo's Pizza on Yadkin Road. Mrs. Moretti called out to her husband who came outside and fired two shots from his handgun. McLeod fled on foot down Horseshoe Road. Moretti got into his SUV, caught up to McLeod and struck him several times with his vehicle.
"Mr. McLeod did pass away yesterday, so now it's being investigated as a homicide,” said Jamie Smith of the Fayetteville Police Department.
Police say they are still investigating the attempted stabbing incident. No charges were filed against McLeod, and now that he is dead, police say they don't plan on filing any.
"After the investigation into the incident with Mrs. Moretti is closed out, if it's found that he was at fault for that particular portion of the incident, then it will be exceptionally cleared since he has died,” Smith added.
Police say their records show McLeod has been charged once before for possessing drug equipment.
Meanwhile, Moretti has two previous charges of simple assault. One of those cases was dismissed because the witness did not show up in court. The other case is still pending.
"Citizens do have the right to protect themselves,” Smith explained, “but they do have to do it within the limits of the law. You just have to go with your instinct and do what you feel is right to protect yourself and your family members at that time."
Whether Moretti did act within the law will be determined in court.
McLeod's family says they are grieving their loss and were shocked to hear that he was involved in this type of incident. They say they just want to see justice served.