Posted on 05/02/2016 2:25:05 PM PDT by Chasaway
I need some general firearms/ballistics information.
I'm working on a criminal defense case. The defendant is accused by the state of shooting his girlfriend in the back of the head with an AR-15 at 10 feet...using a .223 round.
The defendant is a real scumbag and knows he's going to the pen over this. BUT, he claims he accidentally discharged the gun, it caromed off of a linoleum-covered concrete floor and then struck her. It all occurred in a very small kitchen.
My working hypothesis is that this WAS an accidental shooting and that the bullet DID ricochet off of the floor. That means that the defendant couldn't have MEANT to shoot her, because there is no way to accurately predict, ad hoc, the performance of a bullet after caroming off of a concrete floor.
Also, if he HAD shot her directly from 10 feet, I wouldn't expect the round to fragment and stay in her brain pan and I would expect to see some other residue from the round on her clothes or in her hair, etc.
People, chill.
The P.I. is looking for ideas and leads and suggestions on who to talk to. Maybe looking for subject matter experts.
The guy is just doing his job....let him fish these waters...hopefully someone will link him up with an authority that might be willing to be an impartial expert witness.
Wish him luck, or at least don’t try to micromanage the dude.
So what's up with that, Laz? Are you the "Miss Cleo" of ethics sheriffs?
You don't have any information to add, but you'll tell me I'm doing it all wrong, even though you put me in the wrong profession? You don't know what I do and what I'm hired to do, but you'll tell me I'm doing it all wrong?
I think that's arrogance.
How about you?
When do you admit you're wrong?
Dude, for a PI, you sure can’t read so good.
I admitted twice.
If that’s not enough for you, you can suck it.
Thanks, brother.
It’s all I’m doing.
I’m working for someone who doesn’t have the skills or ability to do it for themselves.
Many here could get in some awful position and would love to have someone who’ll look under every rock for them.
Like a duck hunting buddy of mine used to say, “You’ve got to put lead in the air.”
Meh. He's a dick. I was wrong and offered my apologies and he kept on. He can bite me.
Another suggestion would be to look for military/vet sites. .223 is very closely related to military ammo and you might be able to find a subject matter expert who is/was Military.
(p.s. I suppose asking a jerk not to behave like a jerk is like spitting into the wind...not a high success outcome endeavor).
Everyone can and (me included) act like a jerk on occasion. But real jerks are jerks to the bone and expecting manners out of them is like expecting a bear to not act like a bear.
Please, please listen to Sasparilla. The prosecutor is going to have pros at his/her disposal who will testify to nearly anything the state wants. Find someone who will take the stand. That's what this is going to take.
My own non-expert but reasonably informed opinion is that a direct shot to the head with a .223 at close range is likely to cause unmistakable permanent cavity damage that will be in excess of anything expected from a ricochet. My opinion and three bucks will buy you a cup of coffee.
go data mine these folks....they should know folks in your area to refer you to.
Are you going to come back here and tell us what the jury decides?
You are also probably more cost efficient (polite term for less expensive) than the lawyer. Also many lawyers are city folks and lack personal experience with firearms. Thus they need subject area experts. Plus they (I would guess) can not personally testify as an expert witness, even if they have the firearm experience and knowledge) and be the defense attorney at the same time.
btw, FR is not particularly a firearms forum.
Happily, we find those who have not walked the walk, still can talk the talk. /s
Tell your client to view the Zapruder film.
Especially so when you address the angry post to yourself.
Let us know how this case turns out Chas.
C'mon dude!
You know how these threads go.
I obviously didn't see your post or I wouldn't have said anything more.
Thanks.
We're cool?
Or do you still wanna call me a putz?
putz
noun
noun: putz; plural noun: putzes
1. a stupid or worthless person.
2. vulgar slang a penis.
verb
verb: putz;
3rd person present: putzes;
past tense: putzed;
past participle: putzed;
gerund or present participle: putzing
1. engage in inconsequential or unproductive activity. "too much putzing around up there would ruin them"
I know, right? But a direct shot at 10 feet makes less sense, at least fitting the evidence. C
Will do.
Thanks, Bobby.
Yep.
I’ll come back and give title and verse.
C
Has the hole in the linoleum been examined for powder/lead/copper residue?
Ok we’re cool.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.