Posted on 08/27/2002 3:22:58 PM PDT by Shermy
New Orleans Police arrested and charged a man for the shooting death of a teenager who was allegedly trying to steal his car.
Sean Minor, 29, was charged with manslaughter in the shooting, because officers say he wasnt in danger at the time of the incident.
Police say that Minor shot the alleged burglar from his balcony while observing the victim and another man trying to break in to his car.
In the New Orleans East neighborhood where the incident occurred, some residents say what Minor did was justified.
"I feel he was justified, said one unidentified resident. Because that was someone elses property and he was only protecting what was his.
Meanwhile, at the coroners office, the victims family said they were pleased that Minor had been arrested.
He didn't have no right to kill him, said Wanda Munoz, the victims mother. If he was doing what they said he was doing, he should have just called the police and reported it. Why kill him."
But local defense attorneys said that even if Minor were taken to trial in the shooting, it would be hard to get a jury to convict.
The problem comes in cause many citizens will tell you that you have a right to protect your property and if they get to a jury they'll say they would do the same thing," said Robert Jenkins, a local defense attorney.
The NOPD will continue to gather evidence in the case and turn over the findings to the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office. That office will make the ultimate determination on whether Minor is brought to trial.
Because he was a thieving son of a B---h! And I mean that last word figuratively and literally.
It does leave a lasting impression... ;0)
As shown in the OJ trial, Juries do what they damned well like. If I ever get to sit on a trial like this in a criminal trial a hung jury or Jury Nullification will rule.It is ultimately up the "people" sitting on the jury to decide what is a reasonable law.
IMHO This man gets his rifle cartidges replaced along with a check for 5,000 dollars to save the County the cost of a trial and housing of the thief. The cost of the Cartridges should be billed to the dead perps family. The Wounded one needs 20 years of hard labor on a chain gang to think about his next bad deed. Maybe then, all his 'cousins' wouldn't think he was so cool. Instead of them being released after being chased down, arrested, booking, then released onto the streets because of lack of cell space. Only to pull a couple more off to finish off the night. Or getting his hand slapped by some limp wristed judge who cried when he heard the poor boy's life story....
If you don't want these little Bastards committing these crimes against society, teach them to respect others. If that means respect by the threat of Death then so be it. It seems to be what the streets teach them anyhow. It is evident from Momma's comments what they were doing was immaterial. It was only the results that she was pissed about.
Hey Momma Life sucks, deal with it. Teach the others in your harem another occupational trade. Evidently this one has a rising death rate.
I can vouch for the feelings of being personally violated when some SOB steals things that I worked to obtain. If I had the opportunity to shoot, I WOULD. More power to the individuals that protect their property.
If you find a stranger in your daughter's room, standing over her bed, it is reasonable for you to shoot. If the bad guy is trying to escape out the window at the time, you're probably not ok. A fleeing perp is not a threat. If the perp is on the other side of the room from your duaghter and freezes, so that he isn't threatening you or her, you can't shoot. If you do, you'll have to explain why you thought he was a threat. Realistically, as long as you don't shoot the perp in the back, shooting a stranger who broke into your house will probably not lead to prosecution.
I'd note that in some jurisdicitions, there is a duty to retreat. For example, if you're on your porch and someone threatens you, in some states you have a duty to retreat inside your house, if you can do so safely. As far as I know, no state has held that there is a duty to retreat from one's house. Britain, however, has started down this road.
As far as using lethal force to defend property, state laws vary, so check carefully before you do anything.
Absolutely. Just how valuable a horse was out there isn't understood anymore. Having your horse stolen meant probable death in lot of circumstances. In general, theft of any kind was dealt with quite severely -- primarily because there wasn't any effective way to lock anything up. Locks only keep honest people honest, anyway. Since everything was wide open and laying around for the taking, you can guess how thieves were dealt with.
Let me guess: Massachusetts? New York?
Momma wanted that new Pioneer radio. Thats what she wanted.
Move to Texas then. Texas state law says that you may use deadly force to prevent the theft of your tangible, moveable property. Anytime day or night.
That's straight from the CCW class.
And I think the bible covers an ox theft with a stoning.
I speak from personal experience, there's nothing like the sound of a shattering knee cap and the resulting scream to dear God. :)
My Grandmother, who was too old to attend, also reported several 'hang up' phone calls, so the perps also had their grubby designs on her house.
Had I the means to do so at the time, I would have killed them. In fact, probably today. I'm not proud of this, exactly -- but the world would be a better place without such people, no question about it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.