Supreme Court Considers Whether A Fist Is A 'Dangerous Instrument' [CT]

HartfordCourant ^ | November 28, 2011 | CHRISTINE DEMPSEY

[Daffynition]

Is a fist a dangerous instrument?

Lawyers spent some 50 minutes Monday arguing the question in the state's highest court as justices interjected questions.

Richard Condon Jr., a senior assistant public defender, argued that Steeve LaFleur should not have been convicted of first-degree assault with a dangerous instrument. A jury found him guilty of the charge after a trial; LaFleur, who turned 36 Monday, is serving an 18-year prison sentence for the crime.

[Daffynition]

ROFLOL!!! What live chicken?

[RichInOC]

Is Barney Frank filing an amicus brief on this?

[dools0007world]

I have always thought that boxers had to register their fists as dangerous weapons. No?

In any case, if we start down this where will it lead? As a practical matter almost anything can be used as a lethal weapon. This includes pens/pencils, a can of soup, a pillow, broom stick, baseball bat, fork etc. etc.

If we were to deem pencils lethal weapons what would the impact be in schools?

This whole issue is just another colossal waste of time. There are already laws on the books for murder, manslaughter whatever. Except for the premeditation issue, what does it matter what you used to kill someone with. A nuance only a slimy lawyer could love.

[PapaBear3625]

I don't care what he used -- fist, badminton racket, dinner fork, potted plant -- if he viciously and maliciously caused that long list of injuries he deserves a long stay in prison.

I agree. The focus should have been on the "grievous bodily harm" he caused, and not how he caused it.

[Daffynition]

**In many jurisdictions the fist can be considered a weapon if the perpetrator of the assault is trained in the use of their hands (e.g.: martial arts instructor or high-ranking 'belt' - a professional boxer or wrestler - military trained and skilled in the art of hand-to-hand combat (i.e.: Navy Seal or Army Ranger) - etc) it is conceivable that the charge could be enhanced to reflect this ability to inflict pain, injury or death by their use.**

Saying *talk-to-the-hand* might get you 20 of hard time. ;(

[ladyvet]

My son is a boxer, no he does not have to register his hands. He does have to register with the state as a boxer in order to box in sanctioned boxing matches. I'm sure were he to be in a conflict outside the ring it would be taken into consideration with a court.

[Daffynition]

Best dey not be doin' dat in North Carolina.

[GeronL]

that hand would talk back...

[Daffynition]

Sends chills down my spine...

[samtheman]

Vigilante prosecutors are more dangerous than gang members.

Yup.

[Yo-Yo]

"These hands are registered as lethal weapons!"

[Daffynition]

LOL...card-carrying, no doubt. :)

[PowderMonkey]

"A muscular 20-year-old punching a frail 60-year-old is using potentially-deadly force, and it would be reasonable for the 60-yo to respond with deadly force."

Hence, my favorite saying: "I carry a gun 'cause I'm too young to die, and too old to fight fair."

[Daffynition]

Remember the *epic beard guy* from the *amber lamps* incident?

[CynicalBear]

So does that mean anyone with a hand can be shot because he came at me with a dangerous instrument? Precedence has been set? Woo hooo!

[Daffynition]

As a matter of fact, I'm headed down to the police precinct now, to register my belt buckle. Have you done your's yet? Are the permits reciprocal?

[CynicalBear]

I also have suspenders which stretch real nice and my wife has a bunch of those double barrel slingshots too!

[Boogieman]

“I have always thought that boxers had to register their fists as dangerous weapons. No?”

No. That’s what’s known as a “marketing conceit” :)

[PowderMonkey]

LOL! "Never pick a fight with an old man. If he's too old to fight, he'll just kill you." - John Steinbeck

[Daffynition]

Is that you Mork? :)