Posted on 07/07/2010 7:42:39 AM PDT by MissTed
Admitted thieves are going free, while an elderly Wheat Ridge man is facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars, all, he says, for trying to defend his property and his life.
82-year-old Robert Wallace said in February that he looked out his window and saw two men hooking his flatbed trailer up to their pickup. He yelled at them to stop, but they sped away, stealing his trailer. He told police he fired two shots at the pickup.
Minutes later, police say 32-year-old Damacio Torres dropped 28-year-old Alvaro Cardona off at a hospital emergency room with a gunshot wound to the face.
Torres did not stay to talk with police, but they caught up with him later. According to court documents, he admitted he and Cardona stole the trailer.
Wallace did not want to talk on camera, but when we asked him if the two men threatened him he said, "They almost ran me over."
The Jefferson County DA's office said that neither Torres nor Cardona have been charged with anything at this point, even though Torres confessed to the crime. However, the homeowner, Wallace is facing twelve felony counts, including four counts of attempted first degree murder. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Sources say Torres and Cardona are believed to be in the country illegally and both have an arrest record. Cardona's record includes public fighting and numerous traffic offenses like driving without a license or insurance. Torres's record includes agricultural trespassing as well as a 2005 arrest for aggravated motor vehicle theft for which he was given a plea bargain to a lesser crime. Sources say Torres is also under investigation for being part of a major auto theft ring.
Wallace is out on bond and due back in court in September to enter his plea.
Neighbors say the thieves should be the ones facing charges and Wallace should be given an award for protecting the neighborhood.
The man isn’t guilty.
“I thought I saw they had guns. As they drove away they yelled that they would be coming back to kill me and my family and burn down my house.”
That is what you say, and you say absolutely nothing else except, “I want a lawyer.”
The only tags they deserve go on the toe.
It happened in the next county it did not happen in Denver County.
west of Denver : Jefferson County
Old saying "You may beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride". The old man will be bankrupted trying to defend himself.
There was talk of a defense fund being set up for him, I hope there is.
As in 'not enough energy to do anything about it'?
Wheat Ridge is is in Jefferson County. Jeffco was mostly Republican 10 years ago when I lived there, but I suspect it has moved far to the left, so you probably are right.
By the the way, ‘Agriculture Trespass ‘is an euphemism for “Illegal alien arrested for a felony in Denver County”. This was Bill Rutter’s contribution to the American justice system.
We have to vote these scum out of office everywhere in America if this country is going to have a chance to survive.
Sounds like a real Jackass. Where does he get the “old racist” BS? Just because the perps turned out to be illegals? How was the guy to know who was stealing his trailer? Left wing a**hats burn me up.
I cannot imagine the stress that this man is under. The D.A. should be ashamed of himself. I wonder if this case is being used as a public statement: fellow Americans, do NOT fight back. Be a willing victim or you will then be the victim of the criminal justice system. I am waiting for the next part of this story: ILLEGAL felons SUE 82 year old man for pain and suffering and is awarded his home, vehicles, and savings account. Sickening.
“
Wallace is out on bond and due back in court in September to enter his plea.
“
Poor old guy would have immunity to prosecution if he’d done one
of the following:
1. Live in Texas
2. Be a member of The New Black Panthers (voter intimidation case
from Philadelphia)
Oh and the state should also take away his trailer because it's been deemed he doesn't "need" it.
These District Attorneys who decide to cross the line and charge heroes with protecting themselves need to be targeted in elections and defeated. This DA has no right to charge this man with murder for protecting himself and his property. I don’t know who this DA is or when his next election comes but I hope and Pray the voters of that county remember that their DA took the side of thieves and tried to put a 82 year old victim behind bars.
Another question that should be asked of these District Attorneys who charge people with murder for protecting themselves is “When exactly can a law abiding citizen defend himself???”
These District Attorneys who decide to cross the line and charge heroes with protecting themselves need to be targeted in elections and defeated. This DA has no right to charge this man with murder for protecting himself and his property. I don’t know who this DA is or when his next election comes but I hope and Pray the voters of that county remember that their DA took the side of thieves and tried to put a 82 year old victim behind bars.
Another question that should be asked of these District Attorneys who charge people with murder for protecting themselves is “When exactly can a law abiding citizen defend himself???”
This District Attorney needs to lose his job!
And all District Attorneys who do the same should also lose thier jobs come every election.
Scott Storey
District Attorney
500 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden, CO 80401
303-271-6800
I wonder how quickly Mr. Storey would prosecute me (white, American citizen) if I admitted I stole a truck??? On the radio this morning he said that they (the illegal thieves) were still under “investigation”. (This happened in February). This just chaps my hide!
Amen to that!
I wish a Political Action Committee could be established to target scumbags like this D.A. in elections.
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