"I was fearing for my life" (merged threads)

[MaterDei]

Texas Lawmaker defends property and life...

http://www.click2houston.com/news/13643744/detail.html

HOUSTON -- A state representative shot a man suspected of stealing copper casings from his southeast Houston home on Sunday, officials told KPRC Local 2.

Houston police said State Rep. Borris Miles heard a noise when he was fixing a leak at his home under construction on MacGregor Way near Scott Street at about 7:30 p.m.

While investigating the noise, Miles found two men stealing the copper, police said.

"He came out and approached the two suspects, confronted them and at that time the suspects threw a knife at him," Officer Johanna Abad said. "Mr. Miles pulled out his weapon and shot him once."

One of the men was shot in the torso and treated at a nearby hospital. He was arrested and will face aggravated robbery and assault charges, police said.

"I was fearing for my life," Miles said. "I was fearing for my life."

The second man ran away and is being sought by police.

Miles, a former law enforcement officer, has a concealed handgun permit.

"I mean that's sad," Miles said. "You've got time and you've got money involved and you're violated."

Investigators said the men also broke into the home earlier in the day. Copper was also stolen from a home across the street from Miles' house, police said.

"I can't expect to have my own private HPD officer to sit here for the entire time," Miles said.

Police said Miles is not expected to face any charges.

Miles was elected to represent District 146 in November. He said he plans to push for tougher state laws to punish copper thieves.

"They are burglarizing houses of worship. They're burglarizing government buildings. They're even burglarizing fountains," Miles' spokesman Donald Fields said.

"This is a great indication that we need to have more economic opportunity for people who live in this community so they don't have to resort to robbing from each other," Miles said.

 

[thexrayboy]

And the $64,000 question is.....How does Rep Miles vote on firearms issues.

 

[pacodelahoya]

"I was fearing for my life,"

A textbook response.

He said he plans to push for tougher state laws to punish copper thieves.

What the blazes is wrong with these people?? Aren't there already sevnty gazillion laws concerning, theft, tresspass, burglary, robbery, malicious destruction of property, ad infinatum?

 

[Black Adder LXX]

That was nicely handled, all the way through. Good shoot.

If someone doesn't want to set shot, they should consider not pulling weapons out on folks as a vocational option.

But what do I know...

 

[texas bulldog]

from his website:

http://www.borrismiles.com/issues.htm

Priority #1: Borris Will Fight To Keep Us Safe.
Borris is a former law enforcement officer who will use his experience to bring all levels of government together to keep our streets safe. Borris has worked to rehabilitate first-time offenders so they can become productive members of society.

you can decide what that means, exactly. but in the NRA-PVF candidate endorsements for 2006, he gets an A- grade.

source:
http://www.quorumreport.com/DocumentsOnline/TX06PPC_final1.pdf

 

[pacodelahoya]

He said he plans to push for tougher state laws to punish copper thieves.

That right there tells me all I need to know about him.
Either he speaks before he thinks or he's a blathering idiot.

 

[texas bulldog]

i just looked closer...

though the NRA gives him an A- grade, and though they did not grade any other candidate in that race [meaning likely unopposed], they did not put his name in bold print. if you read to the bottom, this means they did not endorse him. there were some other races where only one candidate was graded, and they were endorsed.

not sure why an A- isn't good enough. can anyone from the houston area shed some light?

 

[fletcher]

Miles, a former law enforcement officer,

That always sets off a flag for me when reading articles like this.

Otherwise, good shoot. A shame he didn't shoot the other one, too.

 

[Geno]

I hate to see crime happen to anyone, but atleast we see it happen to politicians as well. This way, this representative can say in session, "Wait a minute...you're not taking my gun...not today, not tomorrow, not ever....and here's why. Remember back in..."

 

[esheato]

Sweet irony..

Texas State Lawmaker Opposing Deadly Force Bill Shoots Would-Be Thief

Monday , July 09, 2007

HOUSTON —
A state lawmaker who opposed a bill giving Texans stronger right to defend themselves with deadly force pulled a gun and shot a man he says was trying to steal copper wiring from a construction site, police said Monday.

Rep. Borris Miles told police he was fixing a leak on the second floor of the Houston house he's building Sunday night when he heard a noise downstairs and saw two men trying to steal the copper. After Miles confronted the pair, one of the men threw a pocketknife at him, Houston Police spokesman Victor Senties.

Miles, a former law enforcement officer, shot the man in the left leg (also known as poor aim), police said. The wounded suspect was being treated at a Houston hospital. Police were trying to identify the other suspect.

Charges of aggravated robbery are pending against the wounded suspect, Senties said.

Police said Miles, who is in his freshman term, is licensed to carry a concealed weapon. No charges have been filed against Miles, Senties said.

Miles, a Democrat, voted against a bill (do as I say, not as I do) that gives Texans stronger legal right to defend themselves with deadly force in their homes, vehicles, and workplaces. The so-called "castle doctrine," passed by the Legislature this year, states that a person has no duty to retreat from an intruder before using deadly force. The law goes into effect Sept. 1.

-----------------------------------

Bold are my comments.

Maybe, just maybe, this will change his outlook. I won't hold my breath though.

Ed

BTW, this is a duplicate. MODS, please merge.

 

[Hanzerik]

Around here copper thieves = Meth heads.
http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2007/06/04/featured_story/01top_06-04-07.txt

 

[Hoppy590]

Miles, a former law enforcement officer, shot the man in the left leg,

he'll try to use this and say its a better option than shooting to kill. when A: hes probibly a bad shot.

 

[RubenZ]

I believe this idiot was against the Castle Doctrine.

 

[iiibdsiil]

I wonder if the guy really threw a knife at him... I would think this guy knows how crime scenes are handled...

 

[RobTzu]

"This is a great indication that we need to have more economic opportunity for people who live in this community so they don't have to resort to robbing from each other," Miles said.

Let me translate this: "I am a socialist, and it is rich people's fault I was robbed. If big corporations did not steal all the money then poor people would not feel the need to rob others."

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Voted Against Castle Doctrine

Source: heard on Lars Larson.

There's a fine irony here.

And a sprinkling of hypocrisy.

NRA gives him an A- you say?

Hmmmm.

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

"I can't expect to have my own private HPD officer to sit here for the entire time," Miles said.

The most important quote in the article.

 

[crazed_ss]

Interesting.. copper theives. Copper theft is becoming a problem around here in San Diego too. Apparently people are stealing copper pipe and wiring and taking it to recycling centers.. http://www.kusi.com/news/local/8367297.html

 

[GlowinPontiac]

who throws a pocketknife? especially at somebody holding a gun?

 

[Mumwaldee]

So he went and confronted them instead of hiding/running/calling the police? When and what charges are being filed against him?

 

[Fn-P9]

Let me translate this: "I am a socialist, and it is rich people's fault I was robbed. If big corporations did not steal all the money then poor people would not feel the need to rob others."

What a F*******

Not very THR comment. So let me get you strait. He is also saying that there may not be the best economic opportunities in his area, and that may also be a source of crime and your calling him a socialist?!

In my area $13-16hr seems pretty good, and thats ALL MOST people will see. Think it is easy to live off of that? The economic times in this country are going into dire straits but yes....lets blame the poor for that:banghead:

 

[HKUSP45C]

So he went and confronted them instead of hiding/running/calling the police? When and what charges are being filed against him?

This is Texas, we just don't generally do that kind of thing here.

He'll go before a grand jury, get no-true-billed and never be heard from again (as a defendant).

My understanding is that the grand jury process is actually to protect the defendant from malicious prosecution later. Having been no-billed means he can't be tried later. At least that is what I've been told from a couple of people who'd have no reason to lie to me. Though mis-information abounds, legally, in Texas. I'm reminded of the "Yeah just shoot 'em through the door and drag 'em in the house." line I've heard from at least 12 dozen people here. :banghead:

 

[Mumwaldee]

e'll go before a grand jury, get no-true-billed and never be heard from again (as a defendant).

Oh I'm sure this "lawmaker" will be fully cleared, but I'm not so sure if it were you or I. I'm sure after a year or two and a life altering/bank account clearing legal battle we could get the same outcome.

 

[HKUSP45C]

No, I meant it pretty much goes that way for every one here. Not just Lawmakers.

Generally speaking, in Texas, if you shoot someone who was breaking the law when you did it, you'll be just fine. Grand Jury, no-bill, Home ... Out a couple of grand in defense costs, really no big deal. Obviously bad shoots are prosecuted, good shoots are swept under the rug as "cost of doing business."


Upon reflection I felt the need to add:
Gunning someone down for jaywalking, parking violations, passing bad checks and the host of other "non-threatening" crimes would obviously be illegal. Shooting someone once, on your property who was attacking you with a knife, while robbing you, with an accomplice would likely get no-billed if you were a legislator or a butcher, baker or candle-stick maker. While Texas isn't "The Last Bastion of 'The Old West'" some would have you believe, it's been my experience that shooting someone who richly deserves killin' for what he was doing at the time is still looked upon, by and large, as "the right thing to do." By most here anyway.

 

[Pilgrim]

After Miles confronted the pair, one of the men threw a pocketknife at him, Houston Police spokesman Victor Senties.

Opened or closed?

Pilgrim