Gary Lee Somerset, a 27-year-old man from Lincolnton, North Carolina, tragically passed away on August 25, 2017. Born on May 17, 1990, in Gaston County, he was known for his smile and blue eyes. Gary was the son of Kimberly Ingram and was temporarily staying with Ronald Wayne Vaughn, who was renting a trailer from Ingram. On the day of the incident, an argument erupted between Vaughn, Ingram, and Somerset when Ingram informed Vaughn that he could no longer live in the trailer.
The confrontation escalated when Vaughn retrieved a sawed-off shotgun and shot Somerset, who was approximately five feet away from him at the time.
Ronald Wayne Vaughn, 32, was subsequently convicted of first-degree murder and possession of a weapon of mass destruction in connection with the death of Gary Lee Somerset. Vaughn was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, the North Carolina Court of Appeals later vacated Vaughn's first-degree murder conviction, citing that the presiding judge failed to instruct jurors on the possibility of a self-defense argument. Vaughn had argued that he was defending himself under the state's "stand your ground" provision, which allows individuals to use deadly force in self-defense. Despite the vacated murder conviction, Vaughn's conviction for possession of a weapon of mass destruction still stands.
The tragic death of Gary Lee Somerset and the subsequent legal proceedings have left a lasting impact on the Lincolnton community. The case highlights the complexities of self-defense laws and the importance of proper judicial instructions during trials. As Vaughn awaits a new trial, the memory of Gary Lee Somerset continues to be remembered by his family and friends.
