Posted on 05/12/2010 8:02:23 AM PDT by ConservativeStatement
A former Marine who neighbors say obsessed over his University Park lawn is being held on $3 million bail, accused of gunning down a neighbor whose puppy urinated on the man's well-manicured grass.
Charles J. Clements, 69, had won the south suburb's beautification and lawn upkeep award but also was known for threatening people who dared to set foot in his yard, neighbors said.
Joshua Funches, a 23-year-old father of two, was walking his fox terrier Gucci in the 500 block of Landau Road on Sunday night when the dog lifted its leg and went on Clements' lawn, said Funches' mother Patricia, 53.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Wonder if he owned a Green Torino?
Great movie.
“Next time you pull out a pistol, why don’t you use it?” ....
Not exactly the thing you want to say.....
When someone is pointing a gun at you, don’t invite them to shoot you. Especially just after your dog has pissed on their lawn.
Way to noodle that one through, Charles! Now you have blood, brains, cops, and reporters all over your lawn.
“A former Marine...” Loathsome Leftist writing. If he were a Republican, that would have been part of the lede.
Very sad, really. One dead and a lot of wrecked lives.
It seems that something like this from Mr. Clements was inevitable. I’m guessing that at some point, Mr. Clements will wonder if it would have been better to tolerate a dog pissing on his lawn, than to go to prison for the rest of his life.
Question is....Will he repeat the award next year?....
My thought, exactly. Maybe he was aiming at the pooch. Geeze, he’s 69 years old. Bad eye sight and depth perception coupled with a shaky hand and lookout.
I’m guessing 3rd degree manslaughter. But, if it can be shown that the victim was purposely antagonizing the old man, there will be mitigating and extenuating circumstances regarding sentencing. Senility/insanity is also a possible defense.
If he had been a former acorn type or was wearing a che t shirt, the story would have never been published.
Would you vote against him?
The younger man thought he was dealing with someone rational;the old man deserves to lose ,and will lose that prize lawn along with everything else,for murdering a human being.There are less lethal steps to take when someone commits nuisance infractions.
There was a similar case in Cincinnati a year or two ago,in which an old man gunned down a teenager on foot for cutting across the grass.
Put up a fence and stop obsessing over inconsequential things.
I wonder how he felt about Mr. President’s response to the question about having a favorite White Sox player.
Obama supporter would have been a better descriptor I suspect.
I remember a crabby old guy who gave me some verbal warnings too about walking on his lawn. I think I was 5 or 6. I am 63 today as a matter of fact. I guess I’m now the crabby old guy!
lol
The law and jurors usually impose a higher standard of restraint on the armed person in a confrontation;if you escalate a situation knowing you are armed when the other person has not displayed any weapon nor attempted to strike you ,then your lawyer is going to have a tough time getting you off.
The Chicago suburb version of "Mr. Clean"
If you want to win such an altercation today you need to be prepared to go all the way.
If you aren't its best to grow some thicker skin and keep your eyes forward.
Interesting points, but what if Gucci was a large snarling and mean-looking Pitbull?
Well, Happy Birthday.
Well said....Go to the wall or get to go home...
Engaging in needless confrontations is not a survival trait.
If the incident had started with the old man out in his yard and the young man and dog attacked ,then he would be justified.This way,the old man just gave all gun owners a black eye in the press.
Good thinking...
I totally agree with you. I’m just a tiny bit sympathetic because he’s a “former Marine”. The MSM used that tidbit pejoratively, I know, to make all veterans and particularly Marines seem quasi-dangerous. But as a former Jar-head myself... I’m looking for exculpatory elements to what is most likely an inexplicable crime.
Exactly. What the hell does being a former marine have to do with the story?
Same here. As far as I know, I am the only hunter on my block in Chicago and word has gotten around.
In 1997, 2 Puerto Rican kids broke into my garage. One of my neighbors called at 3 AM to let me know what was happening. I immediately ran out to the garage with a loaded 12 Ga. Ithaca pump Police Special and caught one of the miscreants (I have never seen the whites of anybody’s eyes so big). Dragged the kid into the alley, where neighbors gathered and informed me they had called the cops. They assured me they would make certain he wouldn’t go anywhere as I ran inside to put the gun away. By the time the cops showed up, the kid had been “worked over” a bit. I pressed charges (cops were happy) and eventually got some restitution.
After that incident, few bother me (no Jehovah’s Witnesses, no trick or treaters and no grafitti although I had a susequent break-in while at an afternoon meeting 2 years ago) and I like it just fine.
think they’ll let him take his lawn award with him?
Supid is as stupid does.
guilty.
BAN LAWNS!
Simple. The Rat's modus is to create domestic enemies to justify their fascist intent. The media are the Rats biatches and carry their water. Creating fear and distrust of vets is an old psyops routine for the Rats.
or maybe he was just a crazy, mean, old POS
On my street we had a neighbor who would raise a big stink if neighbors dogs used their yard but yet when they walked their dog, they didn’t think nothing of picking up afterward though.
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