Grand Jury Clears Texan in the Killing of 2 Burglars

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/us/01texas.html

I believe this was discussed originally, not sure if it was brought up again after the fact, nor could I find the original discussion.

 

I am very curious about the Texas statute. My understanding is of a justifiable use of deadly force if there is a perception of imminent deadly force. Basically, a theory of equivalent violence, and escalation of violence, as taught in tactical applications (you don't waste a guy lifting a purse; you may move to a higher level of violence - from control/takedown to damage or justifiable deadly force, for instance, if you perceive the perp is going this way).

I am not quite cool with the notion of a guy gunning down guys in a neighbor's yard, who are not harming or about to harm someone in immediate vicinity. In my book, that's murder.

 

I thought Quanell X was out of line by trying to make it a race issue.

 

This guy got lucky! He could have gotten himself killed. Even though I think the thieves were bad people and criminals, instead of taking the law into his own hands he should have just let the police do their job instead. After all they were just stealing stuff, no one was in any danger until this man decides to play cowboy with a 12 gauge. He shot those two in the back, I can not believe he got away with it.

 

Would you and I have reported to the police and waited for them to arrive at the scene, if the burglars broke into our home?

 

They didn't break into his house, nor were they in a house when he shot them.

 

It's wrong to kill someone who isn't threatening your life. But since the victims were burglar's, they won't be seen in a positive light either.

 

We all agree they were bad people, question is was their actions (stealing) enough to justify killing them both? 2 humans DEAD cause they were stealing...stuff. Shot in the back.

 

The world is a safer place!

 

During the 1800's and before people were often killed for stealing and arson. The US has gotten lighter on sentencing than at anytime in our past. I will bet you this, people will not steal in his neighborhood again.

 

Question still remains though, would any of you kill 2 people if you saw them steal from your neighbour's house?

 

Depends on the crime, many crimes give more time than ever before

 

A person does not know what they will do until they are put in that situation.

 

i remember hearing the news stories on the radio and hearing the 911 call,
that old bastard needs to get locked up. he shot 2 unarmed men to death, and
all they did was break into someones house and stole a few items along with some cash.

the burglars were running away, they both got shot in the back. how fucked up is that.
the old guys life was not in danger. he acted recklessly.

 

I suspect that this guy makes everything a race issue.

 

They should not have been stealing. They knew when they committed crimes that death was an option. They met the grim reaper that night. You never know whatthe reaper will be driving.

 

Bottom line, for me: ahyep, I feel a helluva lot safer knowing it's legit to frag two guys running - in the opposite direction.

Safe, warm and cozy. 'Course, I will try to walk, not run, from now on...

In other words,

 

What this old guy did is pave the way for another vigilante Rambo with a 12 gauge try to take the law into their own hands and end up dead. Just watch!

 

You should feel safe unless you are the bad guy.