Posted on 11/27/2007 5:57:35 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Police have lost red-light cameras to traffic accidents but never to gun play. "This is the first one that's been shot," Capt. Gordon Catlett said of the wounded camera at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Interstate 640 — one of 15 camera-equipped intersections in the city.
Clifford E. Clark, 47, was charged with felony vandalism and reckless endangerment for allegedly firing at least three rounds from a .30-06 hunting rifle at the camera, knocking it out of action.
He was arrested after patrol officers heard shots around 2 a.m. Sunday, spotted a minivan leaving the parking lot of a closed business and pulled it over. Inside they found Clark and the high-powered rifle.
Clark, now facing a $50 fine if convicted and loss of his rifle, refused to say anything about the incident to police, leaving the motive unclear.
Catlett, who oversees the red-light camera program, said 6,798 drivers have been photographed running the red light at Broadway and I-640 and ticketed since the camera was installed in 2006. Clark was not one of them, he said.
Good shot?? Spends three rounds on a stationary object? Who knows where the other rounds came down. Also, what the heck is with a $50 fine and he loses the rifle for two felony counts?
And Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.Love that movie.
Probably a good cop rather than a good reporter.
If he's charged with felony vandalism, why is he only facing a $50 fine? Is he facing felony charges or not?
As to what I'd do if I were on his jury... tough to say. I don't mind taking action against the scameras, but firing a 30-06 in an urban area without a proper backstop seems a bit reckless.
If he scored three hits, he might have been wanting to make sure it was really out of commission. If he didn't score three hits, he should definitely be prosecuted for recklessness. Sending one or two 30-06 bullets who-knows-where in an urban area is downright dangerous.
A patriot would have avoided endangering people by shooting a high-powered rifle without a proper backstop. Unless he was on an elevated platform when he shot the camera (seems doubtful) he would have been firing at an upward angle. If he didn't score solid hits on all three shots, where do you think the bullets would go?
Clark, now facing a $50 fine if convicted and loss of his rifle,
The article say's $50.
refused to say anything about the incident to police,
leaving the motive unclear.
Smart man. Maybe this is why the fine is only $50. I think that the police
are trying to figure out the motive. DA's are quick to throw charges around.
They must also prove felony motive in court, and he's not talking.
He could be one of those "anti big government" types. /gasp
I was watching an episode of Kolchak the Night Stalker recently, made me think of that movie.
Merry Christmas to you too!
Thanks
:o)
Only $50 fine? But if you get a ticket it’s like $200 or more? Interesting.
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Why the smart money is on Duncan Hunter
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1926032/posts
Posted on 11/15/2007 3:43:17 AM PST by Kevmo
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