Shooting Controversy in Texas

[Maximum1]

Although very tragic I'm very concerned about the shooting controversy in Texas where two blasts from a shotgun by a guy who appears to have abused The Castle Doctrine could make it tough on the rest of us trying to get that law passed in our State.

I heard the 911 tape and that guy was OUT OF CONTROL hell bent on shooting someone. He was told by the dispatcher police were SECONDS AWAY yet this "cowboy" went out and played policeman. What an IDIOT. I hope he gets prosecuted for his actions.
<O
And yes, I'm a Supporter of the Second Amendment and the Castle docrine Law but it doesn't give that guy the Right to play executor just because he thinks a law gives him a right to shoot someone.<O</O
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[rockerz71]

Last I heard they were on his property and possibly coming toward him, which is why I voted no. From the 911 tape alone I would say yes he abused it, although either way I hope he doesn't get in trouble.

[justgotback]

Where can we listen to the 9-11 call?

[justgotback]

Originally Posted by Maximum1

Although very tragic I'm very concerned about the shooting controversy in Texas where two blasts from a shotgun by a guy who appears to have abused The Castle Doctrine could make it tough on the rest of us trying to get that law passed in our State.

I heard the 911 tape and that guy was OUT OF CONTROL hell bent on shooting someone. He was told by the dispatcher police were SECONDS AWAY yet this "cowboy" went out and played policeman. What an IDIOT. I hope he gets prosecuted for his actions.
<O
And yes, I'm a Supporter of the Second Amendment and the Castle docrine Law but it doesn't give that guy the Right to play executor just because he thinks a law gives him a right to shoot someone.<O</O
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I'm originally from TX. If anyone is on your property you pretty much have the rightr to shoot them. I know it sounds ridiculous, but that is pretty much how it is...

[BPNovum]

Originally Posted by justgotback

I'm originally from TX. If anyone is on your property you pretty much have the rightr to shoot them. I know it sounds ridiculous, but that is pretty much how it is...

No, it pretty much isn't. There are laws and rules in this state just like every other state. Texas is much more favorable than many to the homeowner in protecting home and property. And yes, in many states, Mr. Horn would be in jail already awaiting indictment and trial. In Texas, he will probably not be indicted.

The 911 tape is but one piece of evidence. Very damning, but only one piece. The overwhelming evidence is Mr. Horn exited his home and was confronted by two criminals armed with a deadly weapon (a tire iron). He warned them not to move and they made a bad decision. Just one in a long string of bad decisions that caused them to assume room temperature.

The long string of bad decisions includes entering this country illegally, falsifying government documents, at least one of them had been previously deported and had returned (a felony), trying to obtain a Texas Drivers License illegally, burglarizing a home in Pasadena Texas (Gun City USA), burglarizing a home next door to Mr. Joe Horn, and finally not getting on the ground when they had the opportunity.

I really don't think Mr. Horn expected these guys to be in his yard when he went outside. I have stood in that yard and there was very little time for him to make a decision once he went out there. But as far as legal goes... He was within the law.

On a side note... We had another shooting in Houston a couple of weeks ago. A man shot two dogs (pit bulls) who attacked his family and then him. He was arrested and spent five days in jail before being bonded out. Part of what Quanell X was so worked up about is... Black man shoots two dogs - go to jail. White man shoots two black men - no charges files (at least not yet). On the surface this sound pretty bad. Yesterday the Grand Jury no-billed the guy who shot the dogs.

He shot the first dog in his own yard in self defense of his family (with a handgun I believe). No problem. The second dog did a rabbit impersonation and ran off. He then went into his home, got a shotgun and went in his truck three houses down the street to shoot the other dog. Bad idea. This is what got him arrested.

Now, the rest of the story. An independent witness confirmed his story later that when he went to the other house, he talked to a friend of the owner who was there and started to leave. The second dog came at him as he got in his truck and was trying to get in through the window. He then shot the second dog from inside his truck.

The DA said (and this is good insight for the Joe Horn case) that despite his stated intent of shooting the other dog, once the other dog attacked him the circumstance changed and it became a matter of self defense. This gentleman is now free.

In Mr. Horn's case, i believe the grand jury will say regardless of his stated foolishness on the 911 call, once he came outside he was faced with new circumstances and had to react in self defense. My prediction - No Bill.

Quanell X has warned (read threatened) that if Mr. Horn is no billed, there will be more and larger rallies. Mr. X, to quote President Bush... Bring it on!

[propellerhead]

The formula is simple. You burglarize a house in TX, you get shot.

[Maximum1]

Originally Posted by justgotback

I'm originally from TX. If anyone is on your property you pretty much have the rightr to shoot them. I know it sounds ridiculous, but that is pretty much how it is...

It is ridiculous and morality incomprehensible to kill someone just because they’re on your or in this case your neighbor’s property...Are we now animals?

I don't know about you but before I shoot someone it has to meet three criterion: 1) they expressed their intent (or make threatening movement) to harm me, my family, friends 2) they have the means in which to carry out that threat 3) My/family/friends life(s) is/are in IMMINENT danger of death or serious bodily harm. (btw, if #3 is present without 1 and/or 2 I would be forced to Shoot to Stop).

On the other hand If the bad guy is stealing my car...I don't shoot instead I call the police then my insurance company. I don't shoot people over property, JUST LIFE!

[bigun]

I'm a firm believer in the felony/murder rule- If a death is caused while commiting a felony all responsibility rests with the perpetrators of said felony. They brought on their own deaths and bear total responsibility for their own deaths. As a side note I hope they enjoy burning in hell.

[XD-Texan]

According to "letter of the law", he screwed up. But if I were on the jury, I'd have a real problem convicting this guy.

When seconds count, the authorities are only minutes away!

[BPNovum]

Originally Posted by Maximum1

I don't know about you but before I shoot someone it has to meet three criterion: 1) they expressed their intent (or make threatening movement) to harm me, my family, friends 2) they have the means in which to carry out that threat 3) My/family/friends life(s) is/are in IMMINENT danger of death or serious bodily harm. (btw, if #3 is present without 1 and/or 2 I would be forced to Shoot to Stop).

Then by your criteria, Mr. Horn was right. The perps were on his land. They threatened him with a deadly weapon. And third, his life was in immediate danger.

According to "letter of the law", he screwed up. But if I were on the jury, I'd have a real problem convicting this guy.

When seconds count, the authorities are only minutes away!

According to "the letter of the law" he was correct in his action. According to the 911 tape, he screwed up. Watch for him to be no-billed tomorrow or next week at the latest. It is time to let Mr. Horn get back to his life.

In a life or death situration, seconds can be a lifetime. The cops took over 9 minutes to get there. If they had gotten there in 7 minutes they would have made two felony arrests and we would have never heard about this story. If Mr. Horn had hesitated for 5 seconds as they approached him, he would be dead and we would have never heard about this case. Seconds make a big difference.