01/29/08 — Second suspect is charged in deadly breaking, entering

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Second suspect is charged in deadly breaking, entering

By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on January 29, 2008 1:56 PM

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office says the last arrest was made Monday in an August home invasion that left one accused armed robber dead.

Leonard Deshea Middleton, 24, Indian Springs Road, Mount Olive, is charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping and one count of first-degree burglary, Capt. Tom Effler said.

Middleton was jailed under a $50,000 bond, authorities said.

The 24-year-old is accused of entering an Old Mount Olive Highway residence with Kayloe Lemont Middleton, 25, of Mount Olive and Antoine Logan Chestnut, 19, of Dudley on Aug. 31 at 12:30 a.m., according to Sheriff's Office reports.

One of the men allegedly shot at the family during the invasion, leading the male homeowner to reach for a gun and shoot back.

According to reports, Chestnut was struck by the homeowner's gunfire several times.

Chestnut, a convicted felon, died at the scene. The other two suspects fled the scene, according to reports.

Chestnut's death was ruled an act of self-defense, authorities said.

The man who shot Chestnut was at home with his girlfriend and their four children, including a 4-year-old, 5-year-old twins and an 8-year-old, the Sheriff's Office said.