The weapon was a BB gun, not a high-powered assault weapon as previously believed

[Doug Add]

'Skeleton Robber' Strikes Deal with Prosecutors

A little background. This guy terrorized a community back in February by hiding in the bushes at night near ATMs waiting for people to insert their card and punch in their PIN, then suddenly appearing and forcing them to withdraw cash for him while he held them at gunpoint.

At least two questions beg to be answered here.

First, who believed it was "a high-powered assault weapon"? ATM video clearly showed the perp with a handgun. A follow-up question to that--just what is "a high-powered assault weapon" according to the Wake County prosecutors?

Second, do you think the victims who were terrorized by this punk feel any consolation knowing that the weapon held to their head while their bank account was being depleted was only a BB gun?

 

[autospike]

First, who believed it was "a high-powered assault weapon"? ATM video clearly showed the perp with a handgun. A follow-up quetion to that--just what is "a high-powered assault weapon" according to the Wake County prosecutors?

[SARCASM]
Maybe it was an FN 5.7? You know, that's like having an assault rifle in your hand...
[/SARCASM]

 

[Henry Bowman]

The prosecutors were just feeding a line that they have been led to believe the public would swallow.

 

[mnrivrat]

Answers :

1.) Only people who know nothing about firearms.

1b.) All firearms and firearms look alikes including toy guns that they want to portray as something evil .

2.) No

 

[Standing Wolf]

Okay. Fine. It was a high-powered assault sniper BB gun, the same kind terrorists can buy at gun shows without background checks.

 

[Master Blaster]

You forgot that they can shoot down a 747 on takeoff, and blow up a chemical plant or refinery from 1.5 miles away. And of course Turddy K's main concern that they can shoot through an armor plated limosine.

 

[Double Maduro]

Several months ago, my wife and I were watching the news. A story came on about a person stopped and arrested for many things (suspected terrorist?, can't remember for sure).

The story showed the police taking a "high powered assault rifle" out of the car and putting it on the roof. I came unglued and said something about stupid reporters and something not very complimentery about the LEO's that gave them their info.

My wife, who is used to my rants, rolled her eyes and asked what the matter was. I said "take a good look at the gun. She did and said "so it's an assault rifle". I said, wait one minute.

I went upstairs and got my Daisy pellet gun and came down and handed it to her. She got a puzzled look and said "so? you've got an assault rifle just like his, big deal".

I said "when did Daisy start making high powered assault rifles?"

She couldn't believe the press was so screwed up.

Even though I called the station and complained, they never corrected the story.

DM

 

[El Tejon]

Doug, when the police know that it's only a BB gun they will check the "firearm" box. This pads the stats and helps in funding for next fiscal year. "Our brave officers are facing these high-powered pellet, er assault guns on the deadly streets, thus I need to go to a seminar in Hawaii next fiscal year."

Same thing happens in WoD. It's all about the bling, bling.

 

[Doug Add]

I am not irritated with the police on this case, but with the prosecutors, for allowing him to plead down just because he used a BB gun to terrorize his victims.

At least this is not as bad as a case in my county last month in which a murderer and child rapist was sentenced to only fourteen years in a plea arrangement.

 

[El Tejon]

It's my understanding that North Carolina law does not define an air pistol as a firearm. That being the case I cannot see how in all fairness this is "pleading down" but simply recognition of a flimsy case.

Seems to me the remedy is for the legislature to amend the law to include look-alikes or anything that could be believed to be a weapon like the statute in my state.

 

[Godfather]

From Doug Add

At least this is not as bad as a case in my county last month in which a murderer and child rapist was sentenced to only fourteen years in a plea arrangement.​

Well, in fourteen years, be sure to remeber "two to the chest, one to the head".

 

[Doug Add]

It's my understanding that North Carolina law does not define an air pistol as a firearm. That being the case I cannot see how in all fairness this is "pleading down" but simply recognition of a flimsy case.

I see your point. I guess I was so disgusted at our local DA's office with regard to the case I mentioned above that I mistakenly read this news item about striking a deal with prosecutors in the light of that previous plea agreement.

 

[centac]

Some jurisdictions, I believe Ohio for example, have a codicil that allows a replica weapon to trigger the same charge as a "real" weapon, just for cases like these. Whether or not the weapon isnt a real firearm, if it is represented as such or used in such a way as to make someone believe it is, the offense can be charged a gun-involved. Same goes for simulated drugs, though I believe they are charged one tier down.

 

[STW]

I've been on a jury where the prosecutor went on about the AK47 used by the alleged bad guy in his opening statement. No AK47 was ever presented as evidence. I and one other member of the jury were a bit insulted by the whole thing since the 500 pounds of drugs, the silencer, and assorted other stuff was more than enough to make their case and turn the accused from alleged to actual. The prosecutor just blew smoke to get blood moving.

 

[Hardware]

...And of course Turddy K's main concern that they can shoot through an armor plated limosine.

When it is dry or full of water?

 

[c_yeager]

Clearly the offender intended his victims to believe that he was using a real firearm, in my mind that means that he should be charged as if he was indeed using a real firearm. It certainly wouldnt make the crime any less traumatic to the victim if they found out after the fact that it wasnt a real gun.

Of course this kind of reporting is also what i have come to expect from the media and it doesnt suprise me at all.

 

[Master Blaster]

Hardware,

I think its full of Johnny Walker Red, or Glenlivet.

 

[Onmilo]

Many a fine crime has been perpetrated with one of these,


The more industrious crooks drill out the barrel end and glue a hollowpoint bullet in place for even greater psychological effect on the victim.