Last Wednesday, Feb. 25, 12 Woodford Countians found Paul Wilson guilty of assault in the second degree, a Class B felony, for the shooting of Antonio Discipliana on Dan Drive on June 18, 2022.
The jury recommended Wilson serves six years and six months in prison. He will be formally sentenced by Chief Woodford County Circuit Judge Jeremy Mattox on April 1. (Note: This is not the Paul Wilson who is the husband of former Woodford County Treasurer Rebecca Wilson.)
The case came down to the issue of self-defense, which Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Mary Tobin said in her closing “is the crux of the case,” before going on to dismantle the argument put forward by defense lead attorney Todd Crescitelli.
The case was investigated by the Versailles Police Department (VPD), with Detective Dawn Monks as lead, assisted by Detective Nathan Craig.
This description of the crime comes from the VPD investigation, the criminal complaint prepared by Woodford County Attorney Alan George, the evidence and the closing arguments from the trial.
Wilson and Discipliana were neighbors on Dan Drive, sharing a driveway, with Wilson living there less than a year and Discipliana residing there for 17 years at the time of the crime. Wilson carried a Bersa .38 caliber pistol in a belt holster and had a reputation for demanding that residents not play loud music or engage in other activities. Witnesses of Mexican heritage who live in the neighborhood described Wilson as “harbor(ing) a general dislike and resentment of Hispanics living in close proximity to him.” The two men had previous interactions with Wilson complaining of “boom boom” music.
Near 10 p.m., on the night of the shooting, Wilson confronted Discipliana near the shared driveway, demanding that the music be turned down. Discipliana did as asked and walked towards Wilson to try to talk to him, including to apologize. Discipliana got to about three to six feet away. Wilson complained that Discipliana then became “mouthy.” Discipliana testified that he threw his hands up in the air and was turning away to walk back to his house when he was shot.
The bullet entered his cheek, fractured his jaw, lacerated his tongue, and broke several teeth. The bullet lodged in his neck under his left ear. The injuries were life-threatening, and he underwent emergency surgery at UK-Chandler Medical Center. He will suffer from the effects of his injuries for the rest of his life.
During the investigation, Wilson told officers he never felt threatened and never saw a weapon in Discipliana’s possession. However, at trial, Tobin pointed out in closing that Wilson changed his story to claim he felt threatened when Discipliana raised his arms.
Tobin summarized her closing argument, saying, “Here is the key, Wilson is clear throughout all of his statements, this “boom boom” music isn’t for me. It is disturbing my peace. He drives around, policing the neighborhood. He tells people to turn your music down, day or night, it doesn’t matter. It bothers him; it needs to stop. And if anyone becomes mouthy or says, ‘Hey, I have a right to do this,’ that doesn’t work for him. His peace is primary. “At that point, Tobin cued up a recording of Wilson saying, “He was coming up to apologize and then he got mouthy and I said get off my property or I’d shoot him.” She finished by saying, “Antonio represented something Wilson disliked deeply . . . an Hispanic man who played boom boom music. ‘Disliked’ is not a reason for self-defense. That is why we are here.”
Then, 12 Woodford Countians, who had sworn to weigh the evidence, deliberate without fear or favor, apply the law to the facts, and return a verdict, found Wilson guilty.
After the trial, Tobin, who is the first assistant who handles nearly all of the Woodford County criminal docket, told the Sun, “It is an honor to serve the citizens of Woodford County.”
Woodford County Commonwealth Attorney Kelli Kearney told the Sun, “This conviction reflects our unwavering commitment to public safety and to holding violent offenders accountable. The jury’s verdict sends a clear message that gun violence has no place in our community. We are hopeful the jury’s verdict brings some measure of justice and healing to the victim in this case.”
Kearney added, “Although our office has recently relocated, our priorities have not changed. Woodford County remains at the forefront of our mission. We will continue to devote the full resources of this office to protecting the people of Woodford County and ensuring that those who commit serious crimes are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”