Shed Booby Trap = Murder One Conviction

[Diggin It]

JONESBORO A Union County jury on Thursday convicted a man of first-degree murder after a booby-trapped shotgun killed another man on his rural property in 2018.

The state contended that Wasmund rigged a shotgun to a rope connected to the door of a shed on his property that, when opened, would fire the gun at the person trying to enter the shed. He called it a spring gun. The defense contended that Wasmund did not set the gun, but had complained often of theft on the property and pointed to evidence to suggest Spicer was there to steal.

Thomas Mansfield, Wasmund's defense attorney, argued that Spicer's actions are what caused his own death ignoring the no trespassing sign, the nailed-shut shed door and the "Caution do not enter" sign on the shed, then breaking the lock on the shed door.

A key part of Wasmund's defense was the question as to whether he even set the spring gun himself. A primary witness for the state was Roger Ellet, who said he was there the day it was set. Wasmund told him about it as he was loading things from the shed into his truck, Ellet testified. Ellet said he told many people about the trap and about his concerns. However, Mansfield tried his best to point out inconsistencies in Ellet's testimony and the interview he gave to police in January.

Mansfield said yes, that the multiple accounts of Wasmund complaining about theft at his property and his previous attempts to prevent them, namely digging a hole in front of the door and affixing razor blades to the door, all of which Mansfield said had failed. However, he restated that all of this was irrelevant if the jury could believe Wasmund did not set the trap himself, something he worked to prove during testimony.

Chester man convicted in booby-trap murder | Crime/Courts | thesouthern.com

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Perfect example on why the 3rd "S" in "SSS" is for "Shut Up".

 

[Industrial Toys]

When Elmer Fudd did stuff like that, someone (usually him) just got a blackened face.

 

[tookielee]

I hope it gets overturned... no sympathy for a thief

 

[drssg]

I’m no expert, but I wouldn’t expect something like this to be deemed justifiable homicide. He wasn’t in immediate fear for his life. He was just trying to protect the contents of his shed.

I also don’t feel sorry for the guy breaking in, but that’s not a good plan for home defense, IMO.

 

[/pine]

The reasons to own a backhoe are endless...!

 

[Rustyiron]

.......or a big chipper!

 

[wheelbuilder]

.......or a big chipper!

And some hogs...

 

[k0ua]

And some hogs...

"Woo, Swingen, Hang dai !"


$5, and Mr. Woo and his hogs would help you out

 

[fried1765]

.......or a big chipper!

Be VERY sure to CLEAN the chipper, CAREFULLY!
Many years ago, a rental chipper was used for said purpose in Connecticutt.
The cops located the rental shop, impounded the chipper, and did forensic work.
They found microscopic evidence of human flesh, and the chipper renter was convicted.