Dallas man went back to bed after killing burglar, police say

NBC News ^ | Sept. 29, 2019 | AP

[Innovative]

James Michael Meyer was charged with murder in the shooting at his home.

Authorities say a 72-year-old Dallas man fatally shot a suspected burglar behind his home and then went back to bed before finally calling police nearly two hours later.

The Dallas Morning News reports that James Michael Meyer has been charged with murder in the Thursday killing and was jailed on $150,000 bail as of Friday.

[Innovative]

He should get a medal, not be charged with a crime.

The burglar may have killed him.

[PistolPaknMama]

He was 72 years old! He probably needed a nap!

[Hugh the Scot]

He was good until the burglar dropped his pickaxe and ran.

[Gay State Conservative]

Unless there's something big that I'm missing here there's no way in hell that I'd vote guilty here.

[Brilliant]

Based on his story I’d say he did not know he’d hit the guy. The guy ran. He fired a second time into the night. Maybe he was reckless in his handling of the gun but no innocent person was hit.

[Innovative]

He first shot when the burglar had the pickax and was going towards him.

That may have been the fatal shot.

When he shot after the burglar was retreating, he may not have hit him.

[Cowboy Bob]

Put me on the jury!

[Reno89519]

First thought is shock. Seems overkill to arrest and jail the guy for killing a burglar. Guess the guy needs a good attorney to help sort things out.

[Pearls Before Swine]

He was good until he admitted to firing a few shots into the night after the pero dropped the pickaxe and ran.

[DOC44]

Big question.... Was the bad guy shot in his front side or in the back. Also was he once or twice and is there a pick ax in the yard and is the shed damaged? Why is this murder?

[Reno89519]

Yes, why can’t we ever be on these juries?

[Menehune56]

Well, this is Dallas we’re talking about here.

[Texas Eagle]

Murder connotes premeditation, does it not? So they guy planned on having the guy burglarize his home?

[old curmudgeon]

Another case of a person with a gun but without any knowledge of the laws.

Don’t shoot at a suspect running away.

Don’t touch, much less dispose of evidence (spent brass).

Not calling 911 immediately indicates to the cops that you don’t really care about a guy dying on your watch.

Either the shooter is totally ignorant of his responsibilities under the law or there is more to this story.

[eyeamok]

If he would have just walked into the Burglars Home and Shot him, no crime would have been committed.

[TigersEye]

+1

[Blood of Tyrants]

Burglar shot outside the home did not present an immediate threat.

[dfwgator]

Fine the shooter $10, he can mail it in.

[Maceman]

Murder connotes premeditation, does it not? So they guy planned on having the guy burglarize his home?

Premeditation means intent, but intent can arise mere seconds before the killing. It doesn't require longer range planning.

I know this because I watch Law & Order regularly.

Although I have proven to be the pro se defendant from Hell in civil matters, I'm not an actual attorney. Any actual lawyers want to chime in on this?

[deport]

Meyers told police he was awakened by a noise around 5 a.m. and
saw someone trying to break into his storage shed with a pickax. He
grabbed his gun, came out the home and yelled at the alleged burglar.

He said he shot the person, who was coming toward him. The burglar
dropped the pickax and ran toward the park, Meyers said.

He didn't know whether he hit the person so he went back to bed, an arrest warrant affidavit said. After sunrise, he said he saw the person lying on the ground.

He told investigators he threw the spent shell casings in the trash.
Court documents said Meyers refused to answer questions from a 911
dispatcher, saying only that he was defending himself and that
medical assistance was needed.

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