Wednesday, March 29, 2000
Man arraigned in shooting at Franklin plant
He may face death penalty
BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FRANKLIN — James Allen watched closely as the man he had loved like a family member stood before a judge Tuesday, accused of killing Mr. Allen's sister and wounding Mr. Allen.
Michael D. Pardon, wearing handcuffs and leg shackles and dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit and blue tennis shoes, was arraigned in Franklin Municipal Court on charges of aggravated murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.
About a dozen law enforcement officers stood inside the full courtroom as Judge James Ruppert set Mr. Pardon's bond at $1 million. Outside the courtroom, police used a metal detector to check for weapons.
“We were very good friends,” Mr. Allen, using a cane to get around, said outside the courtroom. “He was a loved family member for a long time. I could not believe that I was seeing him in front of the judge. (It) is just hard for all of us to believe that this has happened.”
At 5:37 p.m. Friday, Franklin police were called to Digitron Co., where Mr. Pardon; his wife, Shirley; and Mr. Allen worked. Police said the 26-year-old Mr. Pardon fired several rounds from a .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol, killing his 39-year-old wife of 61/2 years. Mr. Allen, 36, of Kettering, Ohio, was struck in the leg.
After the initial shots, Mr. Pardon walked upstairs where employees were in a break area and fired more shots, po lice said. No one else was wounded. Before the shooting, police said, Mr. Pardon had an argument with his wife in Digitron's parking lot.
After the shootings, Mr. Pardon went to the top of a set of steps, where several employees rushed toward him and subdued him, police said. One employee received minor injuries struggling to subdue Mr. Pardon.
A preliminary hearing was set for 5:30 p.m. April 4. Mr. Pardon could face life in prison or the death penalty on the aggravated murder charge; up to 10 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine if convicted of attempted murder; and up to eight years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine on the aggravated assault charge.
Mr. Allen urged people to contribute to the Shirley A. Pardon Memorial Fund in care of Fifth Third Bank. Services and burial will be Thursday.
“My sister didn't have any provision for her death at all,” he said. “Shirley was a fine, loving person. Very caring. She was always there for us. I will miss her deeply.”
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