Couple fend off home invader (Wife grabs barrel of rifle as husband finds gun, fires)

STLtoday.com ^ | 2-9-04 | Bill Bryan

[FairWitness]

James and Suzanne Butler had retired for the night Friday when a man who they say had been harassing them for a year kicked in their back door and rushed into their bedroom, armed with a rifle and a handgun.

[FairWitness]

This couple saved themselves by owning a gun. It's a good thing the couple were able to defend themselves, since from reading the story it seems clear the police were not going to stop this man.

[FairWitness]

Brown underwent a psychiatric examination at a local hospital, and a doctor declared him mentally fit and not a danger to himself or others.

This psychiatrist sounds like "a danger to himself or and others".

[HELLRAISER II]

Good to see another scumbag get the ultimate & just punishment he deserved, our legal system needs a major revamp.

[FreedomPoster]

Here's another one.

[JustPlainJoe]

Let's hope James Butler ISN'T the one who gets prosecuted!

[Iwo Jima]

"My wife grabbed the barrel and she got shot, but it allowed me the time to get my gun"

Now, THAT'S a good wife.

[FairWitness]

Let's hope James Butler ISN'T the one who gets prosecuted!

Doesn't sound likely; from the article: "(Sgt.) Williams said the Butlers will not face any charges. He called Suzanne Butler's actions "pretty heroic." "

[Pontiac]

After the first report of window-peeping, Phelps County authorities went to arrest Brown, but he barricaded himself in his trailer, threatening to kill himself or any deputy who approached. "A negotiator finally convinced him to surrender," Williams said.

Brown underwent a psychiatric examination at a local hospital, and a doctor declared him mentally fit and not a danger to himself or others.

This part does not make sense. They arrest him for peeping and he barricades himself (resisting arrest). But after an OK from a mental hospital they let him go with out prosecution.

What gives?

[pabianice]

As reported by the Boston Globe: "Lonely, Homeless Man Slain by Gun-toting Couple"

[r9etb]

Brown underwent a psychiatric examination at a local hospital, and a doctor declared him mentally fit and not a danger to himself or others.

Uh huh. Actually, though, I don't necessarily blame the shrink. I suppose there are legal guidlines stating what "mentally fit" means, and that the doctor was following them. But whoever was at fault, they sure as hell messed up on this one.

Meanwhile, Suzanne Butler got a court order of protection against Brown, but she started getting harassing phone calls at work, her husband said.

Best possible argument for having a handgun readily available.

[newgeezer]

"We've tried to arrest him a few times, but he was elusive," said Sgt. Williams.

How about hanging out at the Butler house, Rosco?

If this had happened in Chicago, the Butlers would either be dead or in jail on weapons charges (at least).

[pubmom]

Sounds funny to me as well.

[retrokitten]

I thought that same thing. Why wasn't he the picked up by the local cops as soon as he was released from the hospital??

[Jaded]

"Lonely, Homeless Man Slain by Gun-toting Couple"

I must have missed that part of the story.

[apackof2]

After the first report of window-peeping, Phelps County authorities went to arrest Brown, but he barricaded himself in his trailer, threatening to kill himself or any deputy who approached. "A negotiator finally convinced him to surrender," Williams said.

Why was this guy on the street?
This is any rational person's standard of crazy behavior yet the shrink saids he is mentally fit?

Sue the shrink

[Cicero]

My first reaction was to fault the doctor, too. But maybe he wasn't crazy. In that case, why didn't they arrest him for harrassment and being a peeping tom?

From the sound of it, he was not certifiably insane. He was trailer trash, and somewhat ominously it sounds as if his family may be trailer trash too. I hope the police get on top of that, before his cousins come around to finish the job.

[FairWitness]

My first reaction was to fault the doctor, too. But maybe he wasn't crazy. In that case, why didn't they arrest him for harrassment and being a peeping tom?

You're probably right - if he wasn't hearing voices or talking to the walls he could have been legally sane. But as you point out, then he should have been arrested.

[FairWitness]

My first reaction was to fault the doctor, too. But maybe he wasn't crazy. In that case, why didn't they arrest him for harrassment and being a peeping tom?

You're probably right - if he wasn't hearing voices or talking to the walls he could have been legally sane. But as you point out, then he should have been arrested.

[lewislynn]

James Butler is a business representative in several counties for a carpenters union

----

Less than two weeks ago, Butler said he had a confrontation with some relatives of Brown's who were driving by his house and had stopped to curse him.

That sounds like some union hating "freepers" around here. Brown and his relations must be a Republicans.

Butler is a business agent for a union. As good lockstep Republicans aren't we supposed to automatically hate him?

[Gritty]

This couple is obviously at fault for this tragedy against this nearly homeless, destitute and sick man.

They should have locked themselves in the bedroom, called 911 and let the "professionals" handle it.

"We much prefer, for the safety of the home, that a resident who finds himself in this situation immediately lock the door of the room he's in and dial 911."- Police Chief George Carpenter (Wilmette, IL)