Posted on 12/07/2007 8:53:10 PM PST by End Times Crusader
Two men suspected of burglarizing a neighbor's home were shot in the back by Pasadena homeowner Joe Horn after the suspects ventured into his front yard, Pasadena police disclosed Friday.
Also, for the first time, investigators revealed the Nov. 14 shooting was witnessed by a plainclothes Pasadena detective, who had pulled up in an unmarked car seconds before Horn fired three shots from his 12-guage shotgun.
The detective's name was not released as the new details emerged about the controversial shootings that have outraged minority activists but also brought an outpouring of support from others.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Well, I 'll have to check to see what the Texas statute for burglary says: at common law, burglary is breaking into and entering of the dwelling house of another, at night, with the intent (at the time of the entering) to commit a felony therein. This didn't happen at night.
Burglary is just unlawful entry of a dwelling for the purpose of committing a felony, or simple theft. The time of day don’t matter.
“..I think it would take a miracle for Horn not to be charged.”
Agreed. I’ve heard the tape twice, and it is clear that he told the 911 dispatcher that he was going to kill them. then when he laid down the phone he yelled out, “You’re dead” and immediately shot them. Sounds premeditated to me.
Agreed!
Mila:
That’s a good law, but this incident took place in the early afternoon, around 2PM. The article below mentions the afternoon.
And even more liberal "stand your ground" self defense laws went into effect in Texas on September 1. It doesn't even have to be dark to shoot someone on your property who is in the act of committing a crime or who is perceived as being a theat to life or bodily injury. The perps came on to Mr. Horn's property and were fairly close to him.
That was in response to the cop insisting that Horn would get shot if he went outside.
"then when he laid down the phone he yelled out, Youre dead"
He said don't move, or your dead. He did not simply say, you're dead.
In the very beginning, Horn told the dispatcher to get the cops there fast, or he was going out to stop the crime. He was insistent on that from the beginning. Once the perps began their escape, and the cops didn't act, Horn went out to stop it as the law allows. Neither the cops on the scene, nor the dispatcher told Horn the cops were already there. The cop that was apparently outside remained hidden, and the dispatcher said nothing.
The needed killin.
Yes, I just heard it.
Give the guy a medal! I'll buy him a drink any time!
That's the plainclothes on the scene, right?
"He also said he ducked."
Who ducked, the plainclothes?
I guess I could have been more specific, huh? Maybe I could be a journalist:’) See post 86.
I support his action because I believe that all burglars should be shot. Front, back, sideways, doesn’t matter.
>>Folks are learning to forget 911, and pick up Colt .45 or Ruger 12 gauge.<<
911; the Gummint sponsored dial-a-prayer line.
>>He may be charged, but I doubt hell be convicted<<
That’s why the Gummint prosecuting attorney will probably use a grand jury - to avoid taking heat from the bleeding hearts.
Thanks. I haven’t followed any of this. The Houston chronicle article made it sound like the cop on the scene would contradict Horn. The dispatcher knew the plainclothes was out there. He should have told Horn to save the cop from having to worry about, being mistaken for the wheel man. The dispatcher didn’t say anything about that ‘till later.
Sounds like the authorities are going to try and crucify him. If they were in his yard, running at him, and he pointed the shotgun at them, it’s likely they would turn to the side or away, even if they were still intent on attacking him.
I’d never vote to convict him.
Do undercover cops respond to burglary calls?
>That is my recollection.
It was 2pm in the afternoon. But that is immaterial to burglary. Deadly force to protect property is allowable in the day for burglary. The night-time provision only applies to theft or criminal mischief.
If I was a perp and someone approached me with a shotgun, my back would be their only target.
I say no big deal. They saw Horn defending his property and they turned and ran, their intentions were the same , they just got interrupted.
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