Posted on 03/27/2013 12:09:10 PM PDT by marktwain
A lively discussion about justice, self-defense, property rights and the use of lethal force has erupted in Spokane this week in the wake of a fatal Monday morning shooting in which a recidivist car thief was fatally shot by his latest victim as he drove away in the shooter’s Chevy Suburban.
The debate is on-going on this morning's Spokane Spokesman-Review's web page below a story that says police may turn over the results of their investigation to prosecutors today.
Should car thieves risk getting shot dead? When Washington achieved statehood in November 1889, there were still places in the West where horse thieves just might find themselves dangling from a tree limb. Whatever else the horse was, it happened to be a means of transportation for the owner, and the same can be said of the Suburban.
The horse, like the Suburban, could be essential to the owner’s livelihood. It might, under the right circumstances, be the difference between living and dying for the owner.
Of course, the dead man's family is calling the shooting "senseless." One might suggest it makes as much sense as repeatedly stealing cars.
Washington State statute is pretty clear on the subject of lethal force. Under existing law, homicide is justifiable when committed either:
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
As surely as horse thieves would be shot. Yes.
Someone shot a car thief? Did they have a tight grouping is about all I care to be concerned about.
I think charges should be brought, and the Jury should nullify the law and declare him innocent.
That’s what I call “gun control”. ;-)
I do hope the Suburban wasn't too damaged in the process.
“..should nullify the law..”
Um, let’s not. In Washington state it is legal to kill someone to prevent a felony. Stealing one’s car is a felony.
There was a case in Yakima last year(?) where a shop owner kept getting burglarized. He started sleeping in the shop. Some guy broke in and was grabbing stuff when the owner came out with his shotgun. The burglar ran off and the owner shot him from 20 yards out. Dead in the street with the stolen goods scattered about.
Of course it brings an uproar from the deceased’s family and friends, and some of the locals, but it is legal.
Just noting that isn't on it's own merit helpful to the discussion, but I wanted to point out there are differences in what's considered your 'home' from state to state.
There's also a point of consideration in where/how you car was stolen (or the attempted theft of it) as it applies to deadly force no matter what the 'castle' laws are where anyone lives: A criminal stealing your car from your driveway at night may not justify your use of deadly force against them, but if you were out in the wilderness of Death Valley where possession of your vehicle means the difference between life and death because having it stolen from you means you're going to perish in the desert, you certainly would be justified in use of deadly force.
I am sure there was damage from bullets and from the blood on the upholstery - notning that cannot be fixed, but there would be the unpleasant associations.
Sure is an excellent way to end recidivism.
The car thief was making an assault on the victim’s life in a very real sense. How did the victim acquire the Suburban? He/she traded several hours of his/her life for the money to buy it. When the scumbag stole the car, he was taking away a portion of the victim’s life. He had done this before. He deserved to die, in order that large portions of other lives would be preserved.
Washington state does not have the “Castle Doctrine”. It is not restricted to one’s home or property. You can kill someone ANYWHERE that you are legally able to be, and in defense of yourself, or ANYONE else that is legally there from harm, or to prevent a felony upon you or anyone else.
The dead man’s family called the shooting senseless.
What is senseless is the defense of a piece of trash who had no respect for others.
“...taking away a portion of the victim’s life.”
There was a Seattle radio talk show host (Kirby Wilbur?) that used to talk of this as “life energy” (IIRC), and how thieves, taxes, etc. were taking one’s life energy.
But in America’s current legal and political environment, shooting a car thief is extremely dangerous for your freedom and your financial health.
"To me, it was an execution, he was driving away and he was shot in the back of the head," she said. "It's one thing to have someone you love taken from you accidentally, but to be shot needlessly? Our thought is, if he just wanted his car back, why didn't he shoot for the tire?"
"I'd like it all undone, I'd like my grandson back," Kaluza said tearfully. "I don't wish ill will on people, but this gun violence has to stop."
Cry me a river you old prostitute.
I’m with you- In the old days if you took away a man’s horse you nearly destroyed his life and ability to support his family.
A car is not so different from that today.
I would not convict if I was on that jury
In the State of Washington there have been an uptick in the bad guys getting shot. From the net:
“Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist put it bluntly to the Tacoma News Tribune after a 19-year-old would-be burglar took a shotgun blast to the face Tuesday night.
“Here’s a lesson for potential burglars,” he was quoted as observing. “When you break into someone’s house, you take a chance you’re going to get shot.”.......
Tacoma Police spokesman Mark Fulghum told the newspaper that “We’ve found nothing at this point that (the homeowner) would be arrested for.”........
As one Tacoma police officer told this column, would-be burglars should consider getting shot an occupational hazard. That just might serve to deter some people from taking up a life of petty crime and instead finding more gainful, and honest, employment.
In Egypt the police are so ineffectual that mobs have been capturing thieves/criminals and executing them on the spot.
The only “senseless” thing in this story is the damage to a perfectly good Suburban. Better that the perp died in a huge pool of blood out in the street. Blood is pretty easy to wash down.
If they make it illegal, then police should never be able to chase people in their squad cars since it often doesn’t involve a felony and usually endangers the public.
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