A LEE COUNTY VIRGINIA MAN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING A YOUNG ACQUAINTANCE HAS BEEN ACQUITTED OF THE CHARGE. 83 YEAR OLD RALPH LIPPS HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH MALICIOUS WOUNDING FOR ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING 18 YEAR OLD AARON CARTER OF DRYDEN IN DECEMBER AT A HOME ON ROUTE ONE. DURING A PRELIMINARY HEARING IN LEE COUNTY GENERAL DISTRICT COURT YESTERDAY, JUDGE CHAD DOTSON DISMISSED THAT CHARGES FOLLOWING TESTIMONY FROM WITNESSES AND OFFICERS WHICH REVEALED CARTER HAD THREATENED LIPPS PRIOR WITH A POKER. THE SHOOTING WAS DEEMED AN ACT OF SELF DEFENSE.