Knox judge: 2009 death likely murder. Self-defense claimed (Judges counts the bullet!)

knoxnews.com ^ | 05/27/2010 | knoxnews.com

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

For this judge, it all came down to the math.

Two shots?

“I would have dismissed (the case) and gone home and slept very well,” Special Judge Ben Strand mused Thursday.

Five shots?

Strand said he might well have reduced the second-degree murder charge against Knoxville businessman Troy Whiteside to voluntary manslaughter.

Thirteen shots?

“When a person empties a gun into another person 13 times in the back … standing over (victim Reginald Stacey Sudderth after he was felled), it is clear, plain-old premeditated murder,” Strand said.

SNIP

Defense attorney Gregory P. Isaacs insisted Sudderth left but quickly returned when he saw Whiteside walk out of the store, charged at his client and made a “sudden movement” toward his waistband.

“If Mr. Whiteside had a reasonable belief he was in imminent fear of deadly force, Mr. Whiteside had the right to protect himself with the firearm for which he had a legitimate right to carry,”

But special prosecutor Kimberly Morrison countered that Whiteside admitted moving his gun from a cargo pocket to his front pocket before he left the store. She also pointed to Long’s testimony that an unarmed Sudderth was shot 13 times in the side and back with the final shots fired into his body after he already was on the ground.

[Kent C]

Note to self: Practice double tap accuracy.

[DB]

Or get a bigger gun...

[Talisker]

“When a person empties a gun into another person 13 times in the back … standing over (victim Reginald Stacey Sudderth after he was felled), it is clear, plain-old premeditated murder,” Strand said.

Of course, if he was a cop, then he would just be rightfully protecting himself, because as long as the perp was moving, he was a justifiable target - no matter how many bullets it took.

Remarkably, Palmer had taken 22 hits from Officer Soulis' .40-caliber Glock, 17 of which had hit center mass.

Just remember that when you presume your life is as worthwhile as a police officer's, you stupid citizens. Because if you forget, a judge will slam your ass into a jail cell for your outrageous arrogance in thinking you had the same right to life as a badge.

So bow or die, you frickin' arrogant peons.

[Kent C]

>Or get a bigger gun...

That’s covered. Oh... I know...’then why do you need two shots?’ Trust but verify. ;-)

[donna]

Anyone who stands between me and the Mexican Mafia deserves some special treatment as far as I’m concerned.

Women used to treat their husbands that way, when they had protective husbands. Those were the days.

[bjorn14]

I usually fire two warning shots....about mid chest. ;-)

[donna]

I love you, LOL!

[OldMissileer]

When I was going to college in Michigan my wife was stationed at Wurtsmith AFB, 190 miles away. She would drive down to see me in Lansing every Friday and leave at 5 AM Monday.

Due to a rapist, dressed as a state trooper, pulling women over around the Flint area I bought her a AMT Backup (380 Auto) and taught her to not only shoot but to empty the mag, reload, and then assess the situation.

[Chode]

if a cop(s) empties his(their) gun(s) on you, it's ok though...

[GingisK]

I hope the judges keep this in mind whenever the police put 60 bullets into a person next time.