L.A. man shoots car thief, charged with murder

Yahoo News ^ | Wed Apr 7, '04 | unknown

[Pearls Before Swine]

"The fact that your car is being stolen isn't a legal justification for killing somebody,"

Maybe not... but accidents happen, and the thieves put themselves in harm's way. Who's to say he meant to kill?

What if the perps had been stealing a police car... would the officers have been obligated to phone the station for authorization? Different laws for different folks.

I notice the accused's name sounds Korean. Any chance the DA is capitalizing on local prejudices?

[Moonman62]

Yoon Ho Song could face 50 years to life in prison if he is convicted of the first degree murder ...

First degree? A summons to appear in court maybe, but this wasn't premeditated. I guess the prosecutor wants to send a strong message to criminals that they are being protected by the law.

[GunnyHartman]

It's just a darned car...not worth anyone's life.

I Disagree. I worked hard for my car and some low life scumbag will pay dearly if I catch them in the act of stealing my vehicle

[Stu Cohen]

I have to agree. Shooting someone for stealing a car is just stupid. It's just a darned car...not worth anyone's life.

The life you save may be your neighbors by shooting the scumbag.

Shooting someone for stealing a car is brave, community service.

[Khurkris]

My posting came out SERIOUSLY WRONG. I do apologize.

It should have been:

Its Los Angeles, there are NO 2nd Amendment rights in Los Angeles.

[RicocheT]

Mr.Yoon Ho Song"s customized Honda was a vehicle he worked for to buy and more to customize. It was his baby and he should be able to protect his property with deadly force.

This junk idea that property is not enough to defend is just telling criminal to rip us off with no consequences. The police come and tell you to file an insurance claim. The crooks are rarely found and prosecuted.

[Stu Cohen]

He should be given a medal, the key to the damn city, and the praise of all residents.

Agreed. I live in Los Angeles. I would love to get a Jury Summons for this case.

[Bikers4Bush]

How much was the car worth? Is it not legal to use deadly force to stop someone who's in the act of committing a felony?

[petro45acp]

"The fact that your car is being stolen isn't a legal justification for killing somebody,"

It bloody well ought to be.

The usta hang horsethieves

[ErnBatavia]

Exact same thing happened to an old man wifey and I knew...he had a big old "beater" (Buick or Caddy) of a tank, which got snagged in L.A.

A month later it turned up in Bakersfield, vastly improved; he took the Greyhound up, collected it (complete with full tank) and proudly drove it back home.

[Stu Cohen]

How much was the car worth? Is it not legal to use deadly force to stop someone who's in the act of committing a felony?

If they passed a law saying that anyone could slap you in the face, and you couldn't retaliate ... would you obey it?

[dljordan]

It is in Colorado too. It's called the "Make My Day Law" and the libs here hate it.

[RandomUserName]

Exodus 22:2
If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.

According to God's law, it was a good shoot. I'll side with God on this one over the LA prosecutor.

[trickyricky]

Whenever I find someone stealing one of my vehicles, sure I shoot them
but then I take them out back and give them a proper burial.
That was Yoonie's only mistake.

[MineralMan]

"I worked hard for my car and some low life scumbag will pay dearly if I catch them in the act of stealing my vehicle"

If you believe that your automobile is more valuable than a human life, then I suggest that you need to reexamine your priorities.

Deadly force is appropriate to stop a violent felony or to defend yourself or another person when a life is actively and immediately threatened. That's my opinion, and it's the law in most jurisdictions.

A car is just a car, no matter how much you may care about it. Yes the thief is a scumbag, but we don't execute car thieves in this country.

Someone steals my car, I call the cops. Someone breaks into my house, they're dead. Someone threatens me or mine, or anyone with deadly force, and I'll act immediately. A car? My insurance will cover the loss.

[MineralMan]

"Shooting someone for stealing a car is brave, community service."

Nah, I don't think so. Car theft is in no way a capital offence. Not in any jurisdiction.

Shooting someone for stealing a car will get you a felony conviction. Is your car worth that much to you?

[mgc1122]

If you believe that your automobile is more valuable than a human life, then I suggest that you need to reexamine your priorities. OK ... I took the challenge, and still hold the opinion that a thief needs to be shot on sight.

[Bikers4Bush]

Now way in hell.

And I wouldn't let anyone steal my car either.

[i_dont_chat]

Hmmmmm. I wonder if a lot of our criminals here in Houston will be leaving immediately for L.A.? In L.A. they can commit Grand Auto Theft with impunity! Yippeeee

[Tax Government]

"The fact that your car is being stolen isn't a legal justification for killing somebody,"

Yes it is, you prosecutorial nonentity.