Posted on 07/14/2013 3:12:12 PM PDT by GrandJediMasterYoda
It was attempted second degree murder with two children in the line of fire.
Every CCW and personal defense class I have taken...all instructed by ex or active LEO, say the same thing...NEVER fire warning shots...ever.
I agree, I’m about to read up on the Florida 10-20-Life statutes. Twenty years seems excessive fer sure!
This guy had it happen to him, too!
Unlike for Marissa Alexander, there have been no public rallies or elected officials protesting Ronald Thompson being sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing what could be described as a warning shot.
http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2012-06-20/story/clay-county-65-year-old-gets-20-years-10-20-life-controversy
While there’s a huge difference between the Zimmerman and Alexander cases (i.e. no threat from the husband, let alone a physical altercation initiated by him), 20 years seems a little harsh for just a shot fired that wasn’t aimed at the victim. Several months in prison with time off for good behavior seems more appropriate.
“Fla is one effed up place.”
But, but, but they have had thee successive “Republican” Governors and they have a “Republican” legislature, how can this be? Oh, I forgot, these are “Rubio Republicans,” my mistake!
If the facts presented in this article by a CBS site are accurate, then this case is really out in la la land. My guess is that this will make the evening news and all the hucksters will be shouting “Good for whites but not for blacks!” (Except that Zimmerman was Hispanic) Who knows... that could be why this miscarriage of justice was planned for NOW, but I do have my tin foil hat collection out and I’ve been trying them on for reception all day. (I’ve had to replace some Ion Power Boosters on the frontal lobe digital display.)
That said, allow me to point out once again to the talking heads that George Zimmerman did not appeal to Florida’s stand your ground law.
Pass that on for me, please. (I have some adjustments on the parietal photon array that are urgent.)
10-20-Life statutes
I doubt there’s a crime in Florida called “Felonious firing of warning shots”. My guess is she missed her ex and her lawyer suggested they were just warning shots.
Is there more to this story? Where were the “warning” shots fired? Why was it called attempted murder? If she really was fending off an abusive husband, why wouldn’t she be able to defend herself? We are missing information.
20 years for this is an outrage of justice - it’s TEN TIMES what would be reasonable, and the effective destruction of this woman’s life.
It’s an abomination.
What the hell is wrong with Florida?
It is—look:
“Unlike for Marissa Alexander, there have been no public rallies or elected officials protesting Ronald Thompson being sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing what could be described as a warning shot.”
same here... i have NYS CCW and Utah CCW permits, we were taught same/same
She left the residence and a threatening situation with her husband, went to her car, retrieved her gun and went back inside the residence, discharging the “warning shots” into the ceiling.
Had she used the gun in that manner while actually being threatened, I’d look at her situation sympathetically. It’s leaving the threat and returning with a threat of her own, escalating the situation, that is the problem.
That said, sentence sounds excessive.
First, the story is not today. The date was “May 12, 2012, 10:32 AM”
And yes, it is “real”. There was a court case, apparently with just a judge, and the judge rejected the claim of self-defense, for what appeared to be three reasons:
first, there was no physical sign of danger — she was not assaulted in any way.
second, she left the house, went into the garage, and got her gun out of the car, and then went back into the house to confront the guy. The judge ruled that this meant she was not in imminent danger, since she could have left.
Third, she claimed to fire a warning shot, although the husband said she shot at him and the kids and he ran out.
But if she was really firing a warning shot, that also indicates a lack of imminent danger. If you just want the guy to know you have a gun, you can show it to him. And if you are shooting at him because you feel like he is about to attack you, you don’t fire a warning shot into the air, you shoot him.
Anyway, it was the same prosecutor in both cases. The woman needed a better attorney. And to be already carrying her weapon.
Because if GZ had gotten away from TM after the beating, and run back to his car, and grabbed his gun from the glove box, and then gone back to find TM and shot him, he’d be in prison now. The only reason he got off is that he was being beaten by TM and he had the gun already.
Third, she claimed to fire a warning shot, although the husband said she shot at him and the kids and he ran out.
///////////
Okay. No argument.
However, I am struggling with the length of the sentence.
How, in this case, does the punishment fit the crime? (I understand that sentencing laws sometimes tie judges’ hands, but — in this case — I would suggest the law needs to be revisited by the state legislature.)
Yes, she had a protective order but she went to HIS house. After an argument she went to her car, DID NOT LEAVE, instead retrieved her gun and shot AT him AND their two sons. While on bail she attacked him again.
Just a couple of omissions.
Item (3) renders any self-defense claim inoperative in that type of scenario under Florida law. If you walk away from a dangerous situation and then return armed, you are no longer a "victim" and cannot claim that you are defending yourself.
The sentence has a mandatory minimum. If you own a gun, one should acquaint oneself with gun laws before you use it.
Yes, the true story is:
The woman had a Temporary Restraining Order against her ex-husband, but went to his house and confronted him [intentionally or unintentionally]. He was there with their children. An argument ensued and the woman left and went to her car to get her weapon then came back and continued the argument and subsequently fired warning shots.
By doing so, it's easy to fathom that she forfeited her right to claim 'Stand your ground' and/or 'self defense' claim.
That man is extremely lucky as he could have been easily shot and killed by that moron.
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