A Pickaway County jury acquitted Jaison McLean in the August 2024 fatal shooting of David Raines Jr. in Circleville. The court found McLean acted in self-defense after a road rage incident escalated into a physical altercation.

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CIRCLEVILLE, OH (3-minute read) — A Pickaway County jury has acquitted a 42-year-old Stoutsville man of murder and assault charges stemming from a fatal shooting during a heated altercation in Circleville this past August.

The incident happened on August 13, 2024, when Jaison McLean and 55-year-old David Raines Jr. became involved in a confrontation on South Pickaway Street. According to testimony and court records, the dispute began as a road rage incident that quickly turned physical. Raines reportedly swung at McLean during the encounter, prompting McLean to draw his firearm and fire a single shot into Raines’s chest.

Raines was rushed to a nearby hospital but died shortly after arrival. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and a former employee of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. His four adult children later filed a wrongful death lawsuit, which was paused pending the outcome of the criminal trial.

The trial, which began on October 20, concluded on October 23 with a not-guilty verdict. McLean’s defense centered around Ohio’s self-defense laws, which place the burden on the prosecution to prove that a shooting was not justified if the defendant raises the issue of self-defense at trial.

Under Ohio law, individuals have no duty to retreat if they are lawfully present and not engaged in criminal activity. If they reasonably believe they are in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death, they may use deadly force in self-defense. This legal framework was a critical factor in McLean’s acquittal.

Understanding Ohio’s Self-Defense Law

Ohio is a “stand your ground” state, meaning that individuals have a right to protect themselves without first attempting to flee, as long as they are not the aggressor. This case demonstrates the importance of understanding when and how self-defense laws apply, especially in public or high-tension situations like road rage incidents.

Though McLean is free from criminal liability, he may still face civil consequences if the wrongful death lawsuit proceeds. Civil cases carry a different burden of proof and could result in financial damages even after a criminal acquittal.

Safety Tip: Always be aware of your surroundings while driving and avoid escalating confrontations. If you carry a concealed firearm, know your state’s self-defense laws and only use deadly force when there is a clear and immediate threat to your life or serious bodily harm.