Car Prowler Shot by Vehicle Owner

[roo_ster]

Dude in the altercation managed to talk himself into a conviction, IMO.

There are many considerations to ponder before the fact and to process during the altercation. If one remembers only one thing, remember that LEOs are not there to protect you, they are there to enforce the law. They are not your friend and you don't owe them any explanation besides, "I was in fear for my life. I want to talk to a lawyer." Most likely too much more than that will be deleterious to your situation.

If cops see what they feel is a fleeing felon or fleeing suspect m-a-y-b-e reaching toward a 'waisteband' at any distance...they fire several hundred rounds, and, if hitting or killing the offending party, it is always 'Justified'.


If a Civillian sees a just-confronted felon or burglar appearing to be reaching for something in a waistband, and fires one round, the DA prefers to say, "UNjustified"


This does not seem to me to very consistent.

Close to reality with a little hyperbole tossed in for entertainment's sake.

IMO, the same rules ought to apply to both LEOs & non-LEOs. The idea of a legally codified civilian caste with greater leeway than the average citizen is hateful to contemplate.

You always stand up to evil, but you do so in a lawful and moral way -- or else you become evil yourself.

Careful not to internalize the arguments of the statists and others who would leech off the sovereignty of hte citizen.

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I would state that I am grateful that I live in a state that recognizes the threat and uncertainty that criminality poses and places fewer restrictions on its citizens' use of force to defend their persons and possessions.

Also, I would state that it is moral to defend one's property with whatever force necessary to secure it. There are circumstances where it might not be legal or wise, but the morality of protecting one's own and the immorality of stealing another's has long been undisputed. Obviously, some dispute it, nowadays, and that is not something to be proud of as a nation.

Seeing that I am now married with kids and live in this more morally compromised legal and cultural circumstance, I am more likely to place my family's well-being first and let property crime against myself and my neighbors be something I report on rather than intervene to stop in progress, even in the less-restrictive confines of Texas. I admit to being unwilling to make my family foot the cost for a completely uncompromised and consistent conscience on my part.

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In the OP, I sympathize with the victim of the property crime and will not spare a moment's regret for the thief.

 

[Kleanbore]

the morality of protecting one's own and the immorality of stealing another's has long been undisputed.

True, but the use of deadly force to protect movable tangible property property has been considered wrong in all of our states (except in Texas and Georgia, and there only under certain circumstances ) since they adopted constitutions. All but one state adopted laws that stem from the English Common Law, which goes back about 900 years.

There were some temporary territorial provisions that once held otherwise, but all are history.

Obviously, some dispute it, nowadays, and that is not something to be proud of as a nation.

Some? Nowadays?

 

[Fred Fuller]

Over hill, over dale, this one's hit the dusty trail. Just like its predecessor.

lpl