Police end bid to get bullet from suspect’s head

updated 2:53 p.m. ET Jan. 25, 2007

HOUSTON - Authorities have ended their legal fight to retrieve a bullet lodged in a teenager’s forehead, saying they don’t think they will need it to convict the youth of shooting at a used-car dealer who shot back.

Prosecutors and Port Arthur police had wanted doctors to extract the slug from 17-year-old Joshua Bush’s forehead, saying it would prove his involvement in a shooting that followed a July 21 burglary at a used-car lot.

Prosecutors had twice obtained search warrants for the bullet, but Bush and his attorney fought the removal because they said it would violate Bush’s civil rights.

Port Arthur police Lt. Pat Powell said Wednesday authorities believe they can pursue the case without the bullet.

Bush was arrested Wednesday on an unauthorized use of a vehicle warrant stemming from the July car lot burglary, Powell said. He also was charged with aggravated assault and retaliation.

Bush had been jailed for three months on robbery-related charges before getting out on bond last week. He is being held on $250,000 bond on the new charges.

Prosecutors say Bush was among gang members who broke into the car lot and tried to steal vehicles. According to police, Bush tried to shoot business owner Alan Olive, a competitive pistol shooter who returned fire and struck the teen in the forehead.

The bullet, located 2 inches above Bush’s eyes, lies just under the skin, in the soft, fatty tissue of the forehead.

Police said Bush admitted taking part in the robbery but not the shooting, but Bush told The Beaumont Enterprise last week that he was not involved.

Earlier this month, Bush’s attorney said the teenager would agree to have the bullet removed only if prosecutors agreed not to pursue attempted capital murder charges.

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

‘Laying in wait’ attacker shoots 2 cops Insider theft a big problem for small charities Report: FBI probes hacker attack on Citigroup Cops: ‘Balloon boy’ parents acted alone Despite more jobless, crime rates drop D.C. chief slams cop over gun at snowball fight Police arrest adult in NJ child shooting death Guilty plea in decapitation at Va. Tech Loophole frees mentally ill youth offenders Mom calls 911 over son's video-game habit Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: