Grand Jury Clears Texan in the Killing

[dgriffin]

Grand Jury Clears Texan in the Killing of 2 Burglars

www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/us/01texas.html

Whaddaya think? I'm ok with "shoot to kill" if they're coming at me in my house or are outside within a short distance. But shooting burglars in the back who are fleeing from a neighbor's house, I don't know. One thing for sure, burglary statistics in that neighborhood should take a nosedive.

[lucy]

Well I don't think that he shoud've killed them, but at least take their legs out. They would've stoped running.

[denise]

God Bless Texas!!

[corner]

good bye good riddance 2 illegals we wont be supporting either through the welfare system or the prison system

[dgriffin]

Yeah, well, hoo rah and all that. But I wouldn't want to gun down two human beings in the dark when they weren't threatening me personally. For all I know, the neighbor fucked them over the day before when he wouldn't pay them for mowing his lawn. What if Joe Horn had made a mistake and shot two teenagers who were stealing gasoline so they could take Dad's car out and get beer? And what if you were Dad?

[corner]

bottom line is we werent there in is shoes the grand jury got the whole story we didnt, give the guy the benefit of the doubt.

[Clipper]

I can't say much for shooting someone in the back while they are fleeing. Maybe in the legs or simply to wound, but buckshot to the mid body with intent to kill, is not what I would call courageous.

Whatever the grand jury heard, I would say he is damned lucky to be acquitted. We have similar laws to defend one's self and property here in Tennessee, and I have always sworn that if a dope crazed idiot decided to challenge me or break into the house, they would find his body where he entered, but as far as killing someone when they are running away, I think a load of shot in the ankles and legs would bring them down, and keep them down until the cops could respond.

This guy is no folk hero. He is a loose cannon. This is the kind of argument that anti gun folks like to feed on. It was not his house they broke into and they were not a threat to his life. Even killing another human being that is trying to kill you, as in a combat situation, is not a matter of pride. Killing is a memory that fades, but never goes away. When this fades from the news, this guy will live with it for the rest of his life.

Burglary is not a capital crime, and this guy is not judge jury and executioner. I guess it is acceptable in Texas, but not something to celebrate.