Texas Jury Clears Man Who Shot Suspected Burglar in the Back, Killed 2

[Jettubby]

Let's talk about a few things regarding this story:

- First this LA (anti-gun) Times article is the only one I've seen that has implied that the guys were shot in the back.

- These guys were not just burglars. They were illegal alien, columbian, gang members working for columbian drug lords.

- Texas law permits the use of deadly force to protect oneself on one's property. If you listen to the 911 tape and evidence you'll see where Horn went out onto his front lawn in which he has ever right to. He took his shotgun which he has every right to. When he went onto his lawn the perps came out of the neighbors house and onto his lawn. They came "at" Mr. Horn. Horn was in fear for his life which is reasonable given the fact that two criminals are coming at you on your property. He then shot both. One dropped and one ran down the street and later passed.

I was recently at my parent's home and early one evening we wittnessed three individuals breaking into our neighbor's home but there was noone home. I told my mother to call 911 and tell them that I've gone outside and that I'm armed. I went outside only on my parent's property and not to start something but to try and get a description of the perps. I took my weapon not to start trouble but to protect myself should they see me and start trouble. I kept my distance. I wasn't going to "hide" in my home if I could help out local law enforcement and get a description. I surely wasn't going to confront the men but if they came at me on my parent's property then I might just have had to do what Horn did.

[ForTehNguyen]

I dont get why people make a huge deal about shooting someone in the back is, acting like it makes something instantly illegal. Shooting someone in the back only makes it look bad for your self defense case, but its nothing illegal. The evidence in favor of Joe made the shooting in the back issue very little consolation for the prosecution. So a badguy turns his back on me, what is that suppose to mean? It doesnt mean anything, there is NO guarantee he is going to run away and the threat is over. He might be running away, he might be turning around to conceal the draw of their weapon, turning around to call more of his buddies. I mean really I'm robbing someone, victim pulls a gun, I turn my back around and draw my weapon but LOL you cant shoot me in the back! Give me a break

[Jettubby]

"Shooting in the back" is a media contrived, based on Hollywood movies, phrase to illicit emotion from sheep. Regardless of whether the threat is coming from the front, back, feet, or top of the head; a legal shoot has nothing to do with where the threat his hit.

[LUVMYSIGP225]

Was it bad form? Yes. Could he have avoided it? Yes.

But in the end, illegal scum are dead, and Horn is free. Win win. Hope it sends a message to their homies.

[Zebra3]

Originally Posted by TexicanKid

I dislike the "Castle Law", especially when it covers a guy who shot two criminals in the back for stealing a neighbor's property.

Now, yes, the criminals deserved no better, but in thinking of the criminals' families (mom, dad, siblings, etc...), the grief they will feel forever far outweighs the value of the property which was in jeopardy (which didn't even belong to the shooter).

Please, no one hail this guy as a hero; he's a backshooter, no better. No different than Bob Ford or Oswald, just dirt.

I agree to a point. But, nobody deserves to die for stealing a VCR or whatever. Even if the 2 dead guys were part of an illegal alien gang, this will give carte blanche to others to shoot at any burglar, even teenagers being stupid. Many B&E guys have turned their life around (like those 2 on It Takes a Thief on Discovery Channel, for instance).

This guy would be found "not guilty" in very few states, and in fewer (if any) other civilized countries. It's murder, plain and simple.

... only in Texas...

[Broadside]

So what is the scoop on the plain clothes detective observing the incident?

[ForTehNguyen]

detective observed the burglars entering joe horns property and them not stopping despite a shotgun being pointed at them. Detective didnt go outside his car for being feared as being mistaken as the burglars getaway driver.

[texas_rebel_1980]

God Bless Texas!!!

God Bless Joe Horn.

[XD 9 Loaded Sub-Compact]

Originally Posted by TexicanKid

As pro-gun and pro-self defense as I am, I dislike the "Castle Law", especially when it covers a guy who shot two criminals in the back for stealing a neighbor's property.

Now, yes, the criminals deserved no better, but in thinking of the criminals' families (mom, dad, siblings, etc...), the grief they will feel forever far outweighs the value of the property which was in jeopardy (which didn't even belong to the shooter).

Please, no one hail this guy as a hero; he's a backshooter, no better. No different than Bob Ford or Oswald, just dirt.

I can't dissagree more. The thieves chose thier profession and with that chosen profession comes work hazards. It doesn't matter if the home owner or a neighbor shot them. The thieves them selves should have taken thier own families well being and emotional state of mind prior to performing a criminal act. It is of no concern to me or my neighbors how a criminal's family feels about the situation. Again had the criminals thought about that in the first place then we wouldn't even be disscussing this in the first place. Shooting them in the front or back, owning the property or not does not matter. Joe Horne is a hero who set an example that criminals should take note of.
I also don't care if the property was $5 or $500,000, they went in to take what ever they could, to let people steal others things and only get a slap on the wrist is setting an example that lets them know it's ok to take something that another worked hard for. If you want to get down to the bare basicis of it, I spent my time earning money that means I have invested my life into earning something, so for someone to simply take it they are stealing a piece of me and my time wich equates into my life. If they want to steal a part of my life then when they are caught in the act I will take what I can of thiers.

[bps3040]

Here is part of a video Joe Horn made with the cops. It was a wam bam situation according to it. Murder it was not.

Video: Horn Re-Enacts Shooting For Police - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston

Joe Horn would be welcomed as my neighbor anyday.