was this shooting justified?

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shooting justified?

  • yes

  • no


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BladeVenom

Lifer
Jun 2, 2005
13,365
16
0
Notice how the story shows the nicest pictures of the two burglars it can find, and uses a mug shot photo for the homeowner.
 

Farang

Lifer
Jul 7, 2003
10,913
3
0
i have a lot of trouble believing the events of the 'breakin' happened exactly as stated.

the specific chain of events that he claims happened seems way too unlikely to be real...at least to me. i'm not gonna render a statement on whether or not it is justified, because i don't know the full details of the case. I DO believe his story is highly suspect.

I'm glad you said this, I felt the same way. Specifically that the girl 'laughed' at the homeowner. Her cousin had just been shot dead, she had just been shot herself, I can't imagine her laughing at anything. If anything it must have been some sort of nervous laughter or reaction from an 18 year old girl.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Notice how the story shows the nicest pictures of the two burglars it can find, and uses a mug shot photo for the homeowner.

and the title "Outrage after popular students are found murdered in man's basement after 'they robbed his home on Thanksgiving'"
 

Farang

Lifer
Jul 7, 2003
10,913
3
0
and the title "Outrage after popular students are found murdered in man's basement after 'they robbed his home on Thanksgiving'"

Murder > Robbery

If I pick your pocket you don't have the right to stab me in the throat.
 

stealthycow

Member
May 17, 2011
32
0
66
and the title "Outrage after popular students are found murdered in man's basement after 'they robbed his home on Thanksgiving'"

And it's the daily mail, so we can't really be sure any of it actually happened in the first place.
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,765
10,071
136
Some of that shooting is justified. The rest of it, no.

Problem is we often attack the homeowner if they do the right thing, and cease after the first shot. Too often it's the consequences of protecting yourself that drive folks to "finish it" and attempt to hide. It creates a panicked state that'll drive them to kill after the threat is contained. No witnesses.

Perhaps there should be a clear reward known to all members of society for letting the kids live once wounded. If people knew they were more protected from criminal and civil suits, while at the same time more certain to face justice if they execute someone who is no longer a threat.

This guy executed them, by his own admission.
 

rommelrommel

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2002
4,429
3,213
146
i have a lot of trouble believing the events of the 'breakin' happened exactly as stated.

the specific chain of events that he claims happened seems way too unlikely to be real...at least to me. i'm not gonna render a statement on whether or not it is justified, because i don't know the full details of the case. I DO believe his story is highly suspect.

Unless he invited them in for tea he was justified in shooting.
 

Phoenix86

Lifer
May 21, 2003
14,644
10
81
Let's be clear on three things.

They were breaking into the house.
The home owner did commit murder.
These are not mutually exclusive thoughts.
 

dlx22

Golden Member
Apr 19, 2006
1,285
0
0
Actually she was probably laughing because she was high. A person who has their mind working right would have been out of the house as soon as they heard the shots. Guy probably would have been justified if not for the last head shot.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
126
Seems hard to believe that the girl didn't run after the first shots...didn't call 911 on a cell...something other than wander down there where some shooting just occurred...

If I were on the jury, I would be convicting the homeowner of a lesser murder charge, or voluntary manslaughter. Something that would give him a decent stay in jail.

Well first, I wouldn't believe that story...
 

Acanthus

Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
19,915
2
76
ostif.org
no real sympathy for them. But this guy should do time for that.

Yup, as soon as the threat is removed, you are criminally liable for your actions.

This is no different than the pharmacist that "finished off" the armed robber a few months back.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
If you hear gunshots in the room that your partner in crime just entered and both of you are unarmed, not only is it a stupid idea to head down to investigate, it's a REALLY stupid idea to laugh at the guy who just shot you and killed said partner.

Yep, that's justification to put a few extra bullets into the chest of an unarmed teenage girl then drag her dying body into another room and shoot her again under the chin up through her skull. Always.

Being laughed at is always a valid reason for murder.:whiste:
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,765
10,071
136
Yup, as soon as the threat is removed, you are criminally liable for your actions.

This is no different than the pharmacist that "finished off" the armed robber a few months back.

Armed robbers should be executed.

Far as I know these kids were unarmed.
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
Cute girl, but apparently she was a junkie.

How else could you explain her laughing at the guy as she looked down the barrel of his gun? High as a kite.

Anyway, this whole mess could have been avoided if the guy listened to the rules.

Rule #1: SHOT PLACEMENT. Some center mass shots would have prevented the need for follow up. A center mass shot with a Mini-14 (what he used) and some Hornady TAP would have done the job.

Rule #2: Use a quality home defense ammunition. You want the projectile to expand, tumble, or fragment; something that's devastating to soft tissue. I'm betting he was using FMJ in his Mini-14. And using a .22LR revolver is inhumane and inexcusable in a home defense situation.

Rule #3: Don't talk to the police before consulting a lawyer.

From what I've read, this guy broke every rule and is royally f**ked.

Do I feel bad for him? Nope. Do I feel bad for the teens who got killed? Nope.
 
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sactoking

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2007
7,648
2,924
136
Based only on the information in the AP article I would call him a murderer. That might change with more information but for now it looks like he was not justified.
 

cronos

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2001
9,380
26
101
Just a little tidbit here but I'm surprised that everyone here just believe that he's telling the truth about her laughing (regardless of whether or not it's important).
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
Just a little tidbit here but I'm surprised that everyone here just believe that he's telling the truth about her laughing (regardless of whether or not it's important).
Did you read what the guy said? Why would he confess enough to easily convict himself of murder and just make up one silly part?

Actually the part about her laughing and his response to it was pretty damning evidence for the prosecution to use. If he lied about it, he must really be desperate for a 10x10 cell.
 

videogames101

Diamond Member
Aug 24, 2005
6,783
27
91
The fact he kept firing after there was no need is kinda fvcked. Prison.

(And I'm all for shooting them in the first place.)