Charges Say Man Fooled Intruder Into Lowering Gun

SANDSTONE, Minn. (AP) - Criminal charges show that a 75-year-old Sandstone man pretended to be blind and hard of hearing to fool an armed intruder into lowering his gun.

Charles Carlson awoke to noises in his farmhouse early Thursday. He ended up with a gun pointed at his head.

Reports say the intruder, 23-year-old Gypsy Wayne Watts, lowered his gun just long enough for Carlson to grab his own handgun.
 
Carlson shot Watts twice, and he died at the scene.

Pine County authorities charged a 16-year-old alleged accomplice Friday. The charges say the intruders were after drugs and money.

Investigators will forward evidence to prosecutors to see if the shooting qualifies under a Minnesota law that allows a person to use deadly force in his or her home in some circumstances.