Posted on 01/17/2007 2:57:34 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo
The Wright County prosecutor has decided not to press charges against a Rockford, Minn. man who shot his girlfriend's former boyfriend in December.
Eric M. Cegon, 30, shot 35-year-old Erik A. Richter, of Watertown, Minn., twice with a shotgun early in the morning of Dec. 13 when Richter broke in through a back door into the Rockford home of Samantha E. Simons, 21.
According to Wright County Attorney Thomas Kelly, the relationship between Richter and Simons turned abusive, culminating with a charge of domestic assault filed in April 2005.
When Simons began a relationship with Cegon in September 2006, Richter began threatening both of them.
"He refused to let her go, and said that if he couldn't have her, nobody would," Kelly said.
Richter was charged with making terroristic threats and inflicting criminal damage to property on Nov. 6 of last year after he broke all the windows on Cegon's vehicle and tried to climb through his bedroom window, yelling his intentions to kill Cegon.
As a result of the incident, Richter was ordered to have no contact with either Simons or Cegon and was ordered to not possess or use firearms. Simons also applied for an additional restraining order against Richter.
Richter violated the order when, according to Kelly, he allegedly threatened her with a knife on Dec. 6. Due to the incident, a pick-up order was placed for probable cause felony assault. A court date was set for Dec. 13.
Cegon and Simons went to bed the evening of Dec. 12 prepared for a visit from Richter. They barricaded the front door of Simons' house with a small sofa, locked themselves with Simons' son in an upstairs bedroom and blocked the door with a dresser.
Cegon armed himself with a shotgun.
At 3:30 a.m., according to Kelly, Richter broke through the front door of the house and ran upstairs, forcing open the bedroom door and knocking down the dresser. He had in his hand a loaded, .45-caliber Colt semi-automatic handgun.
Later investigation revealed Richter had also brought leg irons and handcuffs.
Cegon shot Richter twice.
According to Kelly, the state law allowing a person to defend himself with necessary deadly force in his home if he feels threatened by an intruder applied to Cegon's case.
"Did Cegon have an honest and reasonable belief that he or Simons were in imminent jeopardy of great bodily harm or death? Yes," said Kelly in a press statement. "Was Cegon's use of deadly force necessary to avert great bodily harm or death? Yes.
"In this case, the state has the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Cegon was not justified in using deadly force," he continued. "Based upon the facts, I am unable to meet that burden and therefore no criminal charges will be filed against Cegon."
For your list.......
This case was a no brainer, like that old guy who waxed that teenager who broke into his house last November.
Sounds like Richter was a real piece of work. Someone ought to pin a medal on Cegon.
That's better than a cup of coffee for a Thursday morning wake-up.
It might be a no brainer, but at least there is proof that not all government employees are totally brain dead.
Excellent job by Mr. Cegon. I feel better knowing Richter is dead.
It was obvious from the onset that this would not be prosecuted. But, they had to go through the motions.....
Don't bring a handgun (even the venerable 1911) to a shotgun fight
I'm guessing that one blast would have done it.
Cegon didn't even own a gun, at the time. He knew it was going to come down to this, sooner or later. The gauge was borrowed.
Cegon did the world a favor....
I hope the GF appreciates what Cegon has done for her and her son.
"Cegon did the world a favor...."
When the legal system failed to put a stop to this moron. It's a shame that Cegon had to do this himself. I'm sure he's not overjoyed about it.
Restraining orders are worse than a joke.
Gun Owner (block checked)
Victim (block not checked)
they dont protect you physically but they do help when you finally blow the guys head off
True....
She is 21, the ex was 35, and she has a child?
Just asking.
Right. And remember, the cops won't come if you THINK or KNOW someone is coming to do you harm. They'll come if you call when the BG is coming thru the window.
Too late......
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