Some people just can’t take a joke, especially when they are armed with a gun.
A Clay County man was arrested early Saturday on manslaughter charges after allegedly shooting a woman to death after she jokingly slapped him across the face.
Elliott William Orsborn, 26, is accused of shooting Jamie Lee Martin, 26, in the head after a night of friendly drinking at Martin’s home at 2041 Ashton Street in Middleburg, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Witnesses told authorities Martin, Orsborn and several other friends had been hanging out in the garage throughout the night while Martin’s two children slept in the house, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Orsborn had flashed his silver .22 revolver with electrical tape wrapped around the handle several times and kept playing around with it.
The gun wasn’t loaded earlier in the night because Orsborn took all the bullets out, the Sheriff’s Office said.
As the night went on and the group drank more, Martin and Orsborn were sitting at a table talking when Martin said something Orsborn didn’t like. Witnesses said Gavin Lamberth, Martin’s boyfriend of about 5 months who lives with her and her children, told Orsborn to “just chill.”
Then, Martin “jokingly slapped the defendant across the face.”
Witnesses told authorities Orsborn pulled his gun out of his shorts pocket, pointed it at Martin’s forehead and shot her, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Orsborn immediately told witnesses he didn’t mean to shoot Martin, and Martin’s boyfriend and friend started “freaking out.” He stayed at the house for a few minutes and tried to help Martin but then ran from the house.
Orsborn was arrested at his home and told authorities he didn’t wish to speak until talking with an attorney. He was taken to the Clay County Jail, where he awaits his first court appearance Sunday. His bond had not been set as of Saturday evening.
