This makes me very angry

[amflyer]

Read this article first. It was in the Lincoln Journal-Star online page today. After you've read it, go down one post and read the original story. interesting the way a paper can change it's reporting in the name of sensationalism.

http://journalstar.com/articles/2009/02/04/news/local/doc4989d0db9793a862528290.txt

Prosecutors to file homicide charges in wife's shooting death



By the Lincoln Journal Star
Wednesday, Feb 04, 2009 - 12:22:08 pm CST

A 21-year-old newlywed is set to appear on charges in connection to the fatal shooting of his wife on Friday, a day after her funeral.

Joshua Beasley is likely to face a manslaughter charge, though Joe Kelly, the chief deputy Lancaster County Attorney, said no decision has been made yet on what charge he will face.

A press release from the county attorney’s office said he would be arraigned Friday at 2 p.m. on a homicide charge.
[

By statute, homicide refers to the killing of a person by another.

Saturday night, Lincoln police found 20-year-old Alaina Beasley on the kitchen floor in the couple’s apartment at 6230 N.W. Second St. She had a gunshot wound to her chest.

Joshua Beasley had called 911 at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, and allegedly told police he was handling a shotgun when it accidentally fired and he shot his wife.

Alaina died at a Lincoln hospital four hours later.

Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at Roeder Mortuary in Omaha. Her memorial service will be Thursday at Emmanuel Fellowship Church, 8345 Crown Point Ave. in Omaha.

 

[amflyer]

original Story

http://journalstar.com/articles/2009/02/01/news/local/doc498622a51e51a171995041.txt

The photographs on their Web site show an outdoorsy couple. Alaina and Josh Beasley on a tandem bike. Alaina and Josh snorkeling on their honeymoon.

Smiling in the snow.

The Omaha-area couple were married Nov. 1, 2008, and moved to Lincoln.

Joshua and Alaina Beasley (courtesy photo)
Story Photo
Joshua and Alaina Beasley (courtesy photo)

Alaina Beasley, 20, died early Sunday after an apparent accidental shooting.

She was shot in the chest shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday at the Fountain Glen apartment complex, 6230 N.W. Second Circle in the Highlands, and died four hours later at BryanLGH Medical Center West.

Joshua Beasley, 21, was handling a shotgun when it fired, said Lincoln Police Capt. David Beggs.

No further information on the shooting was available Sunday night and no charges had been filed.

“He loved her greatly,” said Bryan DeWilde, a longtime friend of Joshua Beasley’s.

DeWilde met Alaina through Josh. They were an incredible couple, he said, and their families are suffering.

“God is in control, but that doesn’t make it any easier at the present time.”

Jobs brought the couple to Lincoln, he said.

The two met through a basketball league for home-schooled students, according to their wedding Web site. Instead of dating, they describe an old-fashioned courtship.

“We are a Christian couple striving to live a life that glorifies our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” they wrote.

Alaina grew up in an Air Force family and lived in England and Japan before settling in Omaha in 2005. She is survived by her parents and two younger siblings.

Last week, she posted a blog entry describing their recent purchase of two guns, a handgun and a 12-gauge shotgun.

“Josh and I practice clearing the apartment in case an intruder were to come we have a plan of action in place,” she wrote.

The entry also describes weekly outings to an indoor practice range and practicing gun safety.

Beggs declined to elaborate on the circumstances of the shooting, as did the couple’s friend.

“Tell people just to pray for Josh and both sets of parents,”said DeWilde.

“Obviously, it’s a terrible loss and a terrible tragedy. That’s the best thing people can do is pray for them.”

Reach Cindy Lange-Kubick at 473-7218 or [email protected].




This was a terrible accident, and the person responsible was NOT being responsible. But the second article (in the first post) makes him sound like he is a criminal. Even the use of "allegedly" could be misconstrued to mean that he is not truthful. I don't personally know this kid, but i know of him. maybe I don't know all the details, but it just feels wrong.

 

[Funderb]

man, that sucks. holy crap, my day just got a little cloudier.

 

[amflyer]

Would you agree with me that the second story makes him seem criminal? The article says police "found" the victim. Just sounds like they are hanging him out to dry.

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

Yesterday someone posting comments on the Lincoln Journal Star's website article on the original shooting provided a link to the Beasley's blog. This link is now gone and I can't find the URL. The images on the blog showed lot's of foolish behavior with allegedly unloaded firearms such as pointing them at other people, fingers on triggers, etc. It did not inspire me to believe the Beasley's and their family really took the rules of firearms safety seriously.

My suspicion is that the local prosecutor has some information that leads them to believe charges are appropriate.

This whole story is tragic.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

sad story but the charge seems about normal in a case like this. jury or judge gets to decide.

 

[TRGRHPY]

Why do the moderators allow a story like this when it involves non-leo's, but insist on locking a thread that involves an officer in the same situation such as the incident in the bar area a few weeks ago? Improper gun-handling is the same regardless of status.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

and in that case the charge was.....
wait for it




the same. and the shooter wasn't arrested right away in either case.



perhaps this case makes a better example since more of us are likely to be cleaning a shotgun than trying to subdue a guy in the midst of an unruly crowd.

also this thread isn't gonna bring out the usual cop haters with their rope

 

[sturmgewehr]

From their blog:

GUNS! Yes, since we've been married we (I say "we" but I mean "Josh" lol!) have bought two guns- Glock 19 9mm and a 12 gage pump action shotgun. I have to admit it's pretty fun to go shooting.The 12 gage wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be but the first time I shot it did kick me back a couple of steps. Now it doesn't even phase me. Josh and I practice clearing the apartment in case an intruder were to come we have a plan of action in place.

I think its great information to have b/c you never know if you'll be in a situation where you have to deal with a gun. Plus once you understand them and have a healthy respect for guns they are a lot of fun.

 

[amflyer]

They updated the story a bit.

First of all, I agree that the gun handling was terrible...did you see the picture of everyone pointing guns at the camera with fingers on triggers? I just didn't like the story's choice of verbiage. keep in mind that Nebraska has a relatively new CCW law on the books, and it has polarized opinions here a bit. Maybe the LJS caught a bit of flack from the story, or maybe they just put something up quickly and planned on expanding later. Dunno.


http://journalstar.com/news/local/doc4989d0db9793a862528290.txt

Prosecutors to file charges in wife's shooting death


By LORI PILGER / Lincoln Journal Star
Wednesday, Feb 04, 2009 - 01:04:10 pm CST

A 21-year-old newlywed is set to appear in court Friday — the day after his wife’s funeral — in connection to her fatal shooting.

Joshua Beasley is likely to face a manslaughter charge, though Joe Kelly, the chief deputy Lancaster County Attorney, said no decision has been made yet on what charge he will face.

A press release from the county attorney’s office said Beasley would be arraigned Friday at 2 p.m. on a homicide charge.


2.1.09: Lincoln newlywed dies in accidental shooting
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By statute, homicide is defined as the killing of a person by another. It does not specifically refer to murder.

Saturday night, Lincoln police found 20-year-old Alaina Beasley on the kitchen floor in the couple’s apartment at 6230 N.W. Second St. She had a gunshot wound to her chest.

Joshua Beasley had called 911 at 9:15 p.m. Saturday; he allegedly told police he was handling a shotgun when it accidentally fired and he shot his wife.

Alaina died at a Lincoln hospital four hours later.

Her memorial service will be Thursday at Emmanuel Fellowship Church in Omaha.

Wednesday, Kelly said he was waiting until Friday so he can take time to look through police reports and to talk to investigators.

Beasley has not been arrested, and Kelly didn’t anticipate that he would be.

Police Chief Tom Casady said police have concluded that Alaina Beasley’s death was an accident. But that is not inconsistent in itself with charges.

“There have been other cases like this before,” he said.

He could think of two in Lincoln since he’s been police chief where someone accidentally died at the hands of another and someone was charged for it.

In this case, Casady said, he understands people who feel sympathetic to Joshua Beasley.

“It’s a terrible tragedy for everybody involved. No doubt about it,” he said.

Reach Lori Pilger at 473-7237 or [email protected].

 

[Jeff White]

Josh and I practice clearing the apartment in case an intruder were to come we have a plan of action in place.

Training accident? People are routinely charged with manslaughter when their negligent behavior results in a death. Even the death of a loved one. What makes this any different in the eyes of the law then the parent charged in the accidental death of a child where negligence was involved? Should people who are negligent with firearms be given a pass?

 

[scottgun]

This is a sad story. But from reading their wedding blog a couple of days ago, it just seemed like a matter of time before one of them got shot. In their blog they described how they would stand with their back to their target and spin around and shoot as fast as they could.

 

[Jeff White]

It's possible that what they posted on their blog about how they played with their weapons contributed to the decision to file charges.

 

[amflyer]

What makes this any different in the eyes of the law then the parent charged in the accidental death of a child where negligence was involved? Should people who are negligent with firearms be given a pass?

No, Jeff, I agree.

By the police and Mr. Beasley's account, he had been shooting that day and was cleaning his shotgun. It's become obvious that he was negligent, but the original online story made him sound like a criminal that shot his wife, rather than the victim of his own mistakes.

 

[sturmgewehr667]

anyone want to bet this thread will be closed

 

[Duke of Doubt]

It will be closed when someone asks whether they were members of the forum.

 

[hso]

Here's a different article on the ND that has a different tone, but also provides the information that the husband had recently completed a gun safety course just the week before the ND.

The thing to take away from this tragedy is that this is the reason that we harp on following the rules of safe firearms handling and that we're so emphatic about making sure people understand that negligence and not accidents are usually the cause of unintentional shootings. New shooters take note and take the rules to heart.

Woman's final words to husband who shot her: "I love you!"
By Chip Olsen
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Published: Monday, February 2, 2009 8:53 AM CST
After the shotgun blast, Alaina Beasley screamed, fell to the apartment floor and cried to the shooter -- her husband of three months -- to call 911.


And then, in what were her final words to Josh Beasley, "I love you!''

The red-haired 20-year-old then lost consciousness. Her 21-year-old husband frantically looked for their phone, did as his wife instructed and called for help.

Then he grabbed a towel and pressed it onto Alaina's bleeding right shoulder.

This is the account Josh Beasley tearfully gave in the hours following his wife's death in Lincoln early Sunday.

The two had spent the sunny, warm Saturday afternoon skeet shooting at targets near Pawnee Lake, a state recreation area about 12 miles west of downtown Lincoln.

They were using Josh's shotgun and two other shotguns brought by Ron Moore, Alaina's father. Skeet shooting was a family affair that day as Alaina's parents and two younger siblings joined them.

They took aim at the clay disks for about an hour.

Although new to shooting, Alaina Beasley could hit her mark and had proof at home: a paper target she kept from another time showing the accuracy of her eye and trigger finger.

After an hour outdoors shooting skeet, the whole family trouped to Lincoln for a brief tour of the capital, a sandwich lunch and a visit.

It had been a perfect Saturday.

Until 9:14 p.m.

That's when the forgotten-about shell burst from the pump-action shotgun, flying six feet inside their Lincoln apartment before it hit an unintended target. Alaina.

Josh's beautiful Alaina, who would have turned 21 on Friday.

Whom he had met by chance three years ago at a basketball practice for home-schooled students.

They had hit it off back then. Had gone to Iowa Western Community College together -- Josh studying aircraft maintenance program, Alaina taking classes on sports medicine.

Josh had asked Alaina's father for permission to take her hand, and the couple wed Nov. 1 at Grace Baptist Church in Papillion. They honeymooned in the Caribbean.

They did everything together: played racquetball, swing danced, rode their motorcycle, pedaled their tandem bicycle, shot skeet.

So there they were Saturday night in their home at 6230 N.W. 2nd St.

Beasley, who finished a gun safety course last week, cleaned his shotgun and realized all too late that the gun still held a shell.

Soon after his 911 call, emergency crews arrived and began giving first aid to his wife.

Alaina was rushed to BryanLGH West Medical Center. Josh was rushed to the police department.

There were questions. A statement. Papers to sign to let authorities search their apartment.

Finally, police released him and Josh went to the hospital.

There he learned that pellets from the shotgun shell pierced his wife's aorta, and doctors had to remove part of her right lung.

After 1 a.m. Sunday, Alaina's blood pressure was dropping. Doctors fought to keep her condition stable and could not.

Josh stood by his wife's side and held her hand that horrible moment she died.

It was 1:06 a.m.

Later on Sunday, Beasley and his family gathered at the Papillion home of his inlaws. In a voice often broken by tears and sobs, Josh recounted in agony the past day.

"I love her,'' he said. "Everything was just as perfect as I ever hoped it could be.''

Lincoln police on Sunday gave few details of what happened except to classify Alaina Beasley's death as accidental.

Lincoln Capt. Jim Thoms said the investigation is continuing.

But Moore, Alaina's father held no blame for her husband.

"We don't understand it,'' he said, "but we know God has a plan.''

 

[Travis Bickle]

Even the use of "allegedly" could be misconstrued to mean that he is not truthful. I don't personally know this kid, but i know of him. maybe I don't know all the details, but it just feels wrong.

The media always uses the term "allegedly" before a person has been convicted. If they didn't they could be sued for libel.

 

[amflyer]

The media always uses the term "allegedly" before a person has been convicted. If they didn't they could be sued for libel.

Point taken, but so does the phrase, " Beasley told police that..."

 

[sturmgewehr667]

that last article sounds like they copied the strory of the little girl who was killed just to fuel the antis even more.

imo, he was being irresponsible

 

[Gungnir]

Sobering reminder of
Always treat your firearm as if loaded
Always point your firearm in a safe direction
Always make sure that the safety is on unless about to shoot
Always Keep your finger away from the trigger until you are ready to shoot
Before cleaning your gun make absolutely sure it is unloaded, and the action is open.

If he'd followed one of those rules, the story might be significantly different.

 

[BBQLS1]

Very sad.

 

[googol]

Mea culpa

"Interesting the way a paper can change it's reporting in the name of sensationalism."


There is no sensationalism, no antigun bias, and no hidden "liberal media" agenda evident in either of the newspaper articles cited. lt's a sad story about young foolishness, told in a straightforward manner.

 

[MikePGS]

Beasley, who finished a gun safety course last week, cleaned his shotgun and realized all too late that the gun still held a shell.

I can't say 100 % for sure, but I can only imagine that he would've been taught the 4 rules there. Very very tragic story, but that doesn't excuse him from being stupid.

 

[Boats]

Maybe they want him to plea to a lesser felony with no/token jail time to ensure that he never legally owns firearms again?

You have to be criminally negligent to not clear the chamber of a shotgun and then rip someone up with a ND.