Finally one for the good guys - Camera install pays off

[stingray1]

texasjohn; "Self-defense laws throughout the nation see crimes against persons differently than crimes against property. In most states, you can shoot someone committing a felony crime against your person. In no state may you shoot someone committing a crime against property."

This statement is not completely true. In Texas about 10 years ago a neighbor spotted thieves carrying out property from the neighbors house. While on the phone with 911 he went out into the yard and shot the thieves to stop them. He was acquitted of murder.

My state allows for defense of property as well. Wichita, KS in the 1980's. Guy shot and killed a man breaking into his car parked on the street. Access to the car gave the thief access to the house via the garage door opener. Guy was acquitted.

Thieves need to stay out of other peoples stuff.
I don't advocate for shooting someone over stuff but they need to know some will shoot them so stay out.
The thief makes the decision to trespass and steal. I have no sympathy for them.

I'm with brother,the possibility of getting your *** smoked is a very good deterrent.

 

[texasjohn]

Stories of how in Texas you can shoot a perceived thief with impunity seem to abound. Really, we're not the wild west hanging/shooting posse here.
True, as I said in post #20, Texas has some legal phrasing on the books not mirrored in other states. It's true.

Behind every "thief shot, no problem for shooter" story, there is more to it. Worth remembering...

Example, regarding the shooting of two thieves in the back in Pasadena. Details are here Joe Horn shooting controversy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He called 911
A plainclothes officer observed theft and shooting while waiting backup.
He confronted the thieves who crossed into his yard
He felt threatened and forced to shoot
He was elderly, 61, there were two of them, younger and stronger, 30 and 38.
911 told him repeatedly to not shoot.
He shot them in the back, apparently retreating
Uniformed officers arrived 80 seconds after the shooting.
The thieves were illegal aliens with long criminal records.
The grand jury took two weeks to reach their no bill decision.

Therefore, it wasn 't a "shoot/kill and just go on with your life" situation. Next time, if the thieves were not verified by a LEO as having encroached into the shooter's property and different grand jury, result could be different.

I stand by my original position of protecting your person from imminent deadly harm but killing someone to protect things isn't worth it. IMHO, the castle doctrine allows one to protect themselves but does not justify pursuit of a thief and initiating a deadly attack. In the end, only a grand jury, then jury, will decide if actions taken were justified, not the opinions of TBN members.

Take care, my friends, if you pull the trigger on someone...you will be held responsible for the outcome and juries of your peers may not see things the same way you do.

That said, be assured I have no sympathy for thieves, either, and they should be caught and punished.

 

[edkemper]

I live out in the sticks. I'm not interested in shooting someone to protect my property and livelihood, generally speaking. However, I'm not going to hide from a thief. I will go out and confront them and tell them loudly to leave with my gun visibly in hand. If I'm threatened at that point, I hope I don't feel the need to shoot to protect my life. I also have no problem with taking someone/them into custody and hold them in restraints for LEO if I can do it safely, for me. I do not worry about them bleeding instead of dead. I own a few hundred acres and my closest neighbor is at least a quarter mile from my house so there is no valid reason for someone to be at my home or outbuildings uninvited at night. Them being there "in my stuff" is proof enough for me to be in fear.

Where I live, it'd be 20-45+ minutes before LEO arrives. At that point, they write a report.

In the case where the the video caught the thief on tape and LEO didn't seem to be doing much and/or wouldn't respond to inquiries, consider the power of the internet. Make sure to send a link of the online video to the local media. Sometimes, gentle persuation gets the the ball rolling and has a positive future benefit.

 

[MacLawn]

jk, wha' part of MO ye in? A friend just had his enclosed work trailer stolen from Springfield. Full of his carpenter tools! Knuckahaids. He had a plane, saws, etc. he kept in the trailer for his work. Jerks hooked up the trailer and just pulled off it appears.

 

[weldingisfun]

Further proof of, "When seconds count, the police are only minutes away".

 

[jimmyj]

I hate bloody thieves. I hope the law gets around do doing something.