Jurors convicted an East Chicago man on all counts late Thursday in a Melton Road shooting in Gary.
Paul Sloat, 29, of East Chicago, was accused of shooting a trucker once in the chest on Aug. 22, 2022, as his father tried to prevent the driver from taking off. The men said the semi had just clipped their mirror off.
He was convicted of attempted murder, aggravated battery, battery by means of a deadly weapon and battery resulting in serious bodily injury.
His sentencing is Dec. 4.
During the trial, Sloat’s lawyer Scott King argued it was self-defense — he was trying to stop his dad from getting run over.
The jury heard Sloat’s testimony Thursday afternoon before prosecutors played surveillance video where just over a half-dozen shots were heard.
An affidavit alleges Sloat was turning onto 5100 Melton Road when the truck driver went around them and clipped off the mirror.
Sloat’s father, the passenger, told him to “go get the truck” to get the license number. About a half-mile east, near Lake Street and Melton Road, the two men got out and confronted the driver at a stoplight, who spit on the father.
When the father went in front of the cab, the trucker, then 64, tried to leave. Sloat jumped on the cab and fired about five shots, the driver believed.
One hit the trucker in the chest and lodged in his shoulder. He drove to an INDOT building, 7601 Melton Road, to get help. The driver later denied following too closely and didn’t realize he may have hit the mirror.
Deputy Prosecutors Judy Massa and Lauren Lanham were assigned.
Judge Gina Jones declared a mistrial in August after a woman complained to other jurors that she couldn’t be fair and impartial while she missed an appointment that week.
