Father won't face murder charges in son's death

LEAGUE CITY — A man charged with fatally shooting his son at the family’s Tuscan Lake home in June won’t face murder charges. A Galveston County grand jury declined to indict Joe Masterson, 52, in the killing of his son Jared Masterson, 21.

The shooting happened about 4:15 p.m. June 21 at Joe Masterson’s house in the 1200 block of Ponte Rossi. Police said a fight between the two men ended in the shooting.

Jared Masterson, who had been attending school in Austin but reportedly was planning to move to Houston, was unarmed when he was shot. Police found his body in the foyer of the house.

While he didn’t live at the house, Jared Masterson had unfettered access to the house.

The grand jury issued a no bill Nov. 29, Assistant Galveston County District Attorney James Haugh said.

While grand jury proceedings are confidential, League City police Lt. Bruce Whitten confirmed that during the course of their investigation, Masterson claimed self-defense in the killing of his son.

Haugh was restricted from commenting on what information was presented to the grand jury.

Joe Masterson’s attorney, Dick DeGuerin, could not be reached for comment because he was part of a federal trial in Beaumont, but an office spokeswoman confirmed the district attorney’s office had informed the attorney of the nonindictment decision by the grand jury.