By Mike Perleberg William “Billy” Russell. Photo by Ripley County Sheriff’s Office. (Versailles, Ind.) - Guilty on all counts. That’s what the jury said Thursday night in the Ripley County trial of a man now convicted of shooting another man outside a bar last year. William "Billy" Russell, 44, of Moores Hill, shot Jonathan Smith, 37, also of Moores Hill, outside of DJ’s Bar in Milan on September 5. Smith survived the shooting. Afterwards, Russell evaded capture by police for two days. Russell took his case to trial this week. He was charged with Attempted Murder (level 1 felony), Aggravated Battery (level 3 felony), Battery with a Deadly Weapon (level 5 felony), and Possession of a Handgun without a License (class A misdemeanor). Russell decided to take the stand himself on the final day of the trial Thursday. Testifying for five hours, he claimed that he shot Smith in self-defense. After an afternoon of closing arguments, the jury was given the case. Deliberations started at 8:00 p.m., says Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel, and by 9:45 the guilty verdicts were returned. Russell faces up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced. RELATED STORIES: Milan Shooting Trial This Week Formal Charges Filed Against Milan Shooting Suspect Milan Shooting Suspect Turns Self In To Police Milan Shooting Suspect Still At-Large; Victim ID’ed
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