Date: Thu, 2 Jan 1997 21:09:18 -0500 (EST)
From: Ken Holder <[k--l--r] at [shell.liberty.com]>
To: Multiple recipients of list <[n--b--n] at [mainstream.net]>
Subject: Thinking fast, 85-year-old woman kills attacker with hidden

Thinking fast, 85-year-old woman kills attacker with hidden handgun

Copyright 1997 Nando.net
Copyright 1997 The Associated Press 

MUSKEGON, Mich. (Jan 2, 1997 5:54 p.m. EST) -- Threatened
with rape by a ransacking intruder, 85-year-old Alberta Nicles
thought fast and fired faster Thursday, riddling the man with bullets
from a gun her late husband had hidden in the closet.

"I shot him and he's lying on the floor dead in the closet right next to
my bedroom," Mrs. Nicles said later in a 911 call from a neighbor's
house. "I shot him all over."

Mrs. Nicles told police she was awakened about 4 a.m. Thursday by
the intruder, who apparently had cut the phone line and was
ransacking the house.

"He took her around the house looking for money. They ended up
back in her bedroom," said police Sgt. Jeff Felinski.

Mrs. Nicles told police the man removed her pajama pants. Then she
remembered her late husband's handgun, which was in a holster
hidden under blankets in a closet.

She told the intruder there was money in the closet. She grabbed the
gun, stuck it in his stomach and began firing.

The slain man was identified as Michael Moore, 32, who had assault
convictions and was awaiting trial on a home-invasion charge.
Prosecutors said Mrs. Nicles paid him $5 last week to shovel snow
from her walkway.

"He was planning on taking advantage of the vulnerability of an elderly
person," said Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague. "I think we
have a very courageous woman who handled herself better than most
people half her age."

Tague said no criminal charges would be filed. Mrs. Nicles could not
be reached for comment. A woman answering the phone hung up.