Homicide, not self-defense, jury says

Milwaukee Journal Sentinal ^ | Nov. 13, 2006 | FELICIA THOMAS-LYNN

[50sDad]

"He did not have to use a gun," said Michael Nieskes, Racine County's district attorney, who commended the prosecutors in the case.

Next time, he better hit them with fluffy pillows and make them sit in the comfy chair until teatime while he is protecting his life and property.

[lastchance]

Does anyone know the law in Wisconisn regarding defense of person and property? The little the DA says implies that homeowners have no right to self defense.

That being said I wonder why the DA did not charge the guy with manslaughter or a lesser count of homicide. Must be election time in ol Milwaukee.

[rwilson99]

Perhaps he should have engaged in a dialogue with the three animals breaking into the girlfriend's car?/sarc

How do you get first degree out of this... did he park the car in front of the perp's house to entice them to come rob him?

[robertpaulsen]

A controversial case. It didn't help the defendant that the dead guy was shot in the back.

[lastchance]

Comfy chair, good idea. "NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION"

[Enosh]

White had no right to use lethal force to defend property.

Since when?!

[Brilliant]

"This happened because he is a black man."

No... It happened because you've got idiot prosecutors, jurors, legislators, and judges.

[dayglored]

Let's see... 3 against 1, the three are criminals by definition of what they are doing, and at least one is armed with a tire iron (a deadly weapon).

Ummm, I'd have fired a gun too, at least at the fellow with the tire iron. I don't know if I'd have fired at the other two; that might be overdoing it if they were unarmed.

Nevertheless, this fellow got shafted. Whether it was race, I can't say; but he shouldn't have faced first degree homicide for defending property against three criminals bent on theft, IMO.

[robertpaulsen]

"How do you get first degree out of this"

An over-zealous DA, is my guess. If you go to the link, there are some related stories that may shed more light.

[50sDad]

Our chief element is surprise, surprise and fear. Damn! Our two chief elements are surprise and fear. And ruthless efficiency! Wait, I'll come in again!

[dayglored]

> A controversial case. It didn't help the defendant that the dead guy was shot in the back.

How far from the car was the dead guy? If he was right nearby, I don't see the big deal. But if he was halfway down the block, then I agree the defendent has a hard case to make about self-defense.

[NavVet]

Not the comfy chair!

[Kenny Bunk]

.....didn't help the defendant that the dead guy was shot in the back.

Surprised the Defense Attorney did not know cop lingo,

"Perpertrator spun on his heel while making a

...furtive move toward his waistband..."

[dayglored]

> Our chief element is surprise, surprise and fear. Damn! Our two chief elements are surprise and fear. And ruthless efficiency! Wait, I'll come in again!

"... and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope!"

[spunkets]

"Does anyone know the law in Wisconisn regarding defense of person and property? The little the DA says implies that homeowners have no right to self defense. "

Self defense is allowed, unless you're in an area with a rat DA, that has a rat jury pool. If the defense said there was a tire iron, the cops had it and that's a lethal weapon, plus there were 3 assailants.

[dayglored]

> Not the comfy chair!

"Nice rack."

[spunkets]

"the dead guy was shot in the back."

Shot in the back is not self defense.

[Kenny Bunk]

...furtive move toward his waistband..."

OK Class, I want everyone to memorize that phrase.

[arthurus]

If the man's lawyer is any good there will certainly be an appeal.