Posted on 06/29/2007 6:11:33 AM PDT by Happy Valley Dude
Some are calling a former U.S. Marine a hero for shooting two men — killing one — during the botched robbery of a sandwich shop in Plantation. But the men's friends and family want to know how he could gun them down and not be charged.
John Lovell had just finished dinner at about 11:15 p.m. Wednesday when, Plantation police say, two men armed with guns rushed inside a Subway shop and demanded cash. After robbing the store, the men turned to Lovell. They wanted his money, police said.
But like his attackers, Lovell was armed.
The retired military man opened fire, shooting dead Donicio Arrindell, 22, of North Lauderdale, and critically injuring Fredrick Gadson, 21, of Fort Lauderdale.
Lovell, 71, of Plantation, has a valid concealed weapons permit and is not expected to be charged in the shooting, said police spokesman Detective Robert Rettig. Gadson, however, faces multiple felony charges that could include murder, he said. Under Florida law, anyone who commits a felony such as armed robbery resulting in a death can be held accountable for the capital offense.
"He feared for his life," Rettig said of Lovell. "And if he's in fear for his life, then he has a right to defend himself, even if it means severe bodily injury or death."
Florida law gives people the right of "self-defense without the duty to retreat." That means individuals can use deadly force virtually anywhere to prevent death or serious injury.
Lovell could not be reached for comment despite calls and visits to his home.
(Excerpt) Read more at sun-sentinel.com ...
I think the Florida law negates that option for the family...
Awesome story. Thank God none of the good guys got hurt.
Yes, there is a protected class. Look at the prostitute in Durham who claimed she was gang raped. She was never charged with a crime. *They* say it's because she has a mental health problem. In fact *they* are afraid the good citizens of Durham will set the town on fire.
She won’t be charged because she was paid off. Neither side wants to deal with the whole issue.
Actually, I’m saying that the “friends and family” of the perps need to be run out of town, especially since they seem to support their criminal lifestyle.
No! 45 cal. A real mind blower!!!!
The question is WHY was she paid off?
In the past she stole a car, raced through two counties while intoxicated, tried to run down a policeman, claimed an earlier gang rape. The list goes on and on yet she never gets charged?
Now you’re telling me she was paid off?!
If I do those things I would be paid? I doubt it.
She gets paid so this problem goes away.
Well done Marine.
***********Kathy East, 54, whose son went to school with Arrindell, said she took him in two years ago when he and his mother had a falling out. “I’m absolutely stunned,” she said Thursday.**********
You know what...my husband and I will be among the first to scrape together money for this former Marine if it comes down to him needing a defense in court. What the he-LL is this world coming to?
South Florida is one freakin’ scary place...especially after dark. This former Marine is the hero in this story, and this Pastor and his wife ought to do some serious reflection on where they failed their grandson.
Shame on them! Shame! Shame! Shame!
Crystal getting a payoff doesn’t make any sense.
She is still claiming she was gang raped.
It’s the authorities who are not bringing charges. They’d be the ones getting a payoff. But why?
You must work in a prosecutor’s office as I do, because that is just too close to life. I don’t know how many times I have prosecuted “aspiring rappers.” I think excuse number 7 on the defendants’ “Big List of Excuses for Committing Atrocities Against Innocent People” is “my baby mama kicked me out and I needed money to find a place to stay.” Right between “I was hanging with the wrong crowd” and “my disabilty check was not enough to cover the payments to my bondsman.”
I don’t think the “Pastor” and his wife need to reflect - I think they need to be beaten, tarred, feathered, and run out of town on a rail, with implication that, if they return, the locals will get nasty about this...
“And like the old saying goes, you play with fire and your going to get burned.”
One of our favorite judges always says “you just haven’t learned that if you play with fire, you’re going to get burned” just before he gives someone a near-maximum sentence. I’ve come to love that old saying.
One more...
http://tinyurl.com/2b68xf
http://tinyurl.com/2b68xf
Make that...
http://tinyurl.com/ytg54j
http://tinyurl.com/ytg54j
“...But like his attackers, Lovell was armed.”
And that,my friends,says it all.
I say,give the Marine a medal. He’s the epitome of a true american hero.
SWEEEEET! I hadn’t heard this story before. Good on him!!
"He should have allowed himself to be robbed, tortured and murdered by my grandson as part of his re-habilitation," she added. "My grandson's been robbing and murdering as part of his re-hab for several years and it was going just fine." /sarcasm
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