"Good shoot" in Jacksonville, FL Store owner case

[profshadow]

No prosecution planned, though "Excessive Force Charges COULD be filed"
Going to go by the store today and at least buy a transistor or something....

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http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-onlin...22126157.shtml (You may have to create an account to get to this link)

Last modified Fri., June 16, 2006 - 02:13 AM
Originally created Friday, June 16, 2006


Store owner won't face charges after shooting man


The owner believed he was in danger when he fired five shots, Shorstein said.


By CHARLIE PATTON, The Times-Union


State Attorney Harry Shorstein will not pursue charges against a Jacksonville business owner who shot an unarmed man he believed was trying to rob his store.


Shorstein said Thursday that, based on interviews with owner Doug Freeman and store employees, he determined Freeman thought he was in danger when he shot Vincent Hudson, 26, inside his Murray Hill store on May 31.

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Man shot in store denies being there as robber (6/2/06)
Store owner shoots man he says was trying to rob him (6/1/06)
"The testimony of several witnesses supports Freeman's statements that Hudson was acting suspiciously, had a bulge in his waistband, was looking around and repeatedly asked for money," Shorstein said.

Shorstein said it would be pointless to charge Freeman with a crime when "there is not a reasonable probability of conviction." But he cautioned he will consider filing charges in future cases involving what could be considered "unnecessary use of deadly force."

Freeman shot Hudson five times when he thought the man was reaching for a gun inside his Edgewood Avenue television repair store, Marvin's Electronics.

Under a state law passed in 2005, someone has the right to stand his ground and use deadly force to prevent death, great bodily harm or a forcible felony.

Freeman said Thursday he doesn't regret shooting the man.

"I thought I took appropriate action," he said. "Hopefully Mr. Hudson will see this as his 44th chance to straighten his life out, his 44th chance at redemption."

Freeman told the Times-Union he shot and killed a man in self-defense about 15 years ago while working as an automobile repossession man. Shorstein said he didn't take that incident into account in making his decision.

"I'm very relieved that Harry Shorstein took the time to think things through," Freeman said.

Hudson has been at Shands Jacksonville hospital since the shooting. He didn't answer a call to his hospital room Thursday afternoon.

Hudson has been arrested in Jacksonville 36 times since 1997. Shorstein said that his record of six felony convictions and six other convictions for crimes of dishonesty played a factor in deciding not to charge Freeman. Such details could have been used in a trial to impeach Hudson's credibility.

Shorstein said it's unlikely any charges will be filed against Hudson.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[rocky]

Good to hear another good guy not being persecuted for reasonable action.

[Weeg]

No such thing as a "good" shoot

[badge4436]

Not much detail about what led to the shooting. Hard to decide the legal necessity of the thing. It appears the right guy got shot in that the D.A. didn't have the stones to put him on the stand due to his felony convictions. The defense would have ripped him a new one. I wonder how the D.A. would have come down if the guy who got shot was a criminal history virgin.

[one eyed fatman]

If they can the first thing a lawyer does at a jury trial is make sure the defendants criminal history cannot be used in the trial.

[badge4436]

If the guy hits the stand his felony convictions can be used to discredit him. Not misdemeanors, but felonies.

[dimmak]

Shot him 5 times?
wonder what with - maybe an Airsoft?

[ron8903]

Bravo. For the Good Guys.
Weeg, Did you forget what a" Good Shoot " was?

[Weeg]

Weeg, Did you forget what a" Good Shoot " was?

I know the definition "in here", but no such thing as a "good" shoot.

It sucks


.

[Old Chief]

It may not be good that one shoots another person but it is good that one has the ability to defend himself, his family and property legally.

[AirForceShooter]

And he can't be sued.
Awesome.

AFS

[kansas_shooter]

State Attorney Harry Shorstein will not pursue charges against a Jacksonville business owner who shot an unarmed man he believed was trying to rob his store.


Shorstein said Thursday that, based on interviews with owner Doug Freeman and store employees, he determined Freeman thought he was in danger when he shot Vincent Hudson, 26, inside his Murray Hill store on May 31.

The man was unarmed and posed no real threat. To me this seems like a "bad shoot".

[profshadow]

The store owner didn't know that he was unarmed when he was reaching into his pocket and wanting money. He thought he was reaching for a weapon.

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"The testimony of several witnesses supports Freeman's statements that Hudson was acting suspiciously, had a bulge in his waistband, was looking around and repeatedly asked for money," Shorstein said.

........

Freeman shot Hudson five times when he thought the man was reaching for a gun inside his Edgewood Avenue television repair store, Marvin's Electronics.


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[97Octane]

Bravo. For the Good Guys.
Weeg, Did you forget what a" Good Shoot " was?

Good guys? Who was the good guy in this case?

It was an apparent mistake! What was he defending? His life or the potential of the cash in the drawer? Some people here are cheering at the outcome of this encounter... seemingly suggesting that the owner carve a notch in the handle of his pistol. The owner messed up, pure and simple. I am glad that no charges will be filed however his life was not in danger.

Its a touchy situation... sounds like a big ol' communication breakdown and a semi-innocent (w/ previous record) guy who took 5 rounds.

I also agree with the other posts, that there is absolutely no such thing as a "Good Shoot". Call it a Justified Shoot... or whatever, but a good lethal shoot doesnt exist.

[profshadow]

OK..

I'll agree to calling it a "Justified Shoot" since that does make more sense as to any situation where you end up shooting someone.