Kerbouchard

Look, it's simple, you don't go sneaking on to somebody's property in the middle of the night...if you choose to, well, sometimes it is going to lead to misunderstandings.

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Cthulhu

If the kids were merely walking by the window, I can't see that as being a good shoot. Trigger happy old fart panicked and puleld the trigger when he shouldn't have.

If the kid was actually trying to open the window, then I think it falls under "Castle Doctrine", and the kid shouldn't have been monkeying with the window.

Still, as previously mentioned, the only person who's actually murdered someone is being overlooked over the other issues.

-JT

raevan

Well when you all get to be old pharts then look at this with those eyes. There have been multiple cases that elderly peoples homes have been broken into and the residents asaulted or killed. When you get old and can't move as well as you used to, you really can't take chances. No one has the right to be wandering about on private property late at night. I might not of fired but each person must do what they feel necessary for protection.

kazzaerexys

Well, now, according to Reborn one story has the homeowner claiming the kids tried to open the window. I agree that the castle doctrine generally covers the action and the kids were stupid for sneaking across somebody's property, but if it comes out that the homeowner is lying or embellishing to make his defense scenario sound better, it would not surprise me if the grand jury indicts him. And probably rightly so, since any attempt to fabricate makes it look like he knows that the boys weren't really a threat to him when he fired.

And the drunk driver should be hanged in the public square. Any of the stories mention his, ah, citizenship status...?

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Magilla82ABN

I am looking at it like this. They "hopped a fence" into the elderly couples yard at or around 2230. Knowing my grandparents they would have probably done the same thing. Like said above we are only really seeing one side of the story.

I do agree on taking the drunk driver out to the town square

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SixBravo

Really... that's not enough information. You have two kids who were 'walking across private property on their way someplace else' who claim that a man shot at them through a window without provocation. Then you have an eldery man who claims he shot a kid trying to force open his window. Who is more credible here? The news report claims it was youthful curiosity. Who else says that? I can see good reasons for both sides to lie about the situation, but one of the two most certainly is lieing.

I'd just like to see a police report before I jump on the 'convict the eldery guy' train.

The drunk driver should be tried for murder or manslaughter but that goes without saying.

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Kerbouchard

In TX, it is enough information. Two kids were tresspassing after dark. They stealthily advanced on his house and stopped outside his window. The elderly gentleman at this point, I believe, had enough information to reasonably believe that these kids were a threat to him, his home, or his property. Criminal mischief during the nightime, and theft during the nighttime are grounds for use of lethal force. Period.

I haven't heard an official story that said the kids were trying to open the window, but if it comes down to who do I believe...I think I will go with the person who wasn't trying to sneak across somebody's else's yard late at night.

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GBS

Two worlds conficting. The seasoned citizen who believes anything on the property is subject to forciable removal and the kid who thinks the world is his to walk on.
The sr. did right in calling 911, but should have left it alone - unless the kid made it inside the house.

No one should have died that night.
My vote is to indite the DD for the death.

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David in FL

+ 1. A shame all around.

Janq

Agreed, and he should be liable in civil court for the injury of the boy and death and losses incurred by the family upon loss of their mother.

- Joe Horn

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