Man Cleared for Killing Neighbor's Burglars - 'Castle Doctrine' Gives Texans Unprecedented .....

ABC News ^ | June 30, 2008 | CHRIS BURY and HOWARD L. ROSENBERG

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

'Castle Doctrine' Gives Texans Unprecedented Authority to Take Action Against Intruders

A Texas man who shot and killed two men he believed to be burglarizing his neighbor's home won't be going to trial. A grand jury today failed to indict Joe Horn, a 61-year-old computer technician who lives in an affluent subdivision in Pasadena, Texas.In the Lone Star state, where the six-gun tamed the frontier, shooting bad guys is a time-honored tradition, and Horn's case centered on a Texas state law based on the old idea that "a man's home is his castle." The "castle law" gives Texans unprecedented legal authority to use deadly force in their homes, vehicles and workplaces. And no longer do they have an obligation to retreat, if possible, before they shoot.

"I understand the concerns of some in the community regarding Mr. Horn's conduct," Harris County District Attorney Kenneth Magidson told reporters at the courthouse. "The use of deadly force is carefully limited in Texas law to certain circumstances. ... In this case, however, the grand jury concluded that Mr. Horn use of deadly force did not rise to a criminal offense."

'I'm Gonna Shoot!'

Horn called 911 in November to report a burglary in broad daylight at the house next door.

[Mad Dawg]

Alleluia!

[Mad Dawg]

Joe shot these guys in the back with a shotgun and got by with it.

It has been demonstrated conclusively that in the time between the, neurologically speaking, making of the irrevocable decision to shoot and the movement of the trigger finger, a person can turn away.

Consider this sequence:

1. Perp decides to turn away.
2. Good guy decides to shoot.
3. Perp actually turns away.
4. Good guy shoots.
5. Perp, having turned away is shot in the side or back.

The Force Science Institute has done the science.

The conclusion is clear. Keep your behind out of where it's not supposed to be.

[festus]

LOL.

[Shooter 2.5]

Not to mention when a projectile travels through the body, the coroner will count two wounds. So yeah, it’s very possible there were gunshot wounds to the back.

The other poster is trusting the media to give an honest account of a shooting. I thought no one on FR did that.

[festus]

Aw heck even if they already turned and started running before he raised old betsy and drew a bead on em shootin a fleeing felon is fine by me.

[writmeister]

When did Pasadena Texas become “affluent”? I presume that the “journalists” have never been there.

[Figment]

“Joe shot these guys in the back with a shotgun and got by with it”

You shoot at what’s facing you. If it’s the back, too bad you were in a defensive position while committing a crime. Back, front,side, top, bottom what’s the difference?

[Jaded]

It a newer section of Pasadena bordering Deer Park and Clear Lake.

[Figment]

“It was widely expected here that the grand jury would decline to prosecute”

And there aren’t 12 people in Texas who would be on a trial jury who would prosecute

[Allegra]

Heard about this on the news tonight and CHEERED.

[zeugma]

TEXAS — STILL a Republic!

Only just barely.

Gov. Goodhair won't be happy until it's a typical banana republic.

[marktwain]

I notice that ABC news conveniently left off the lengthy criminal record of the deceased.

[blam]

We have a Castle Law in Alabama too.

[Nick_123]

Dose anyone know if there is somewhere where we can put a few $$ for the lawyers. I will put in 50$ at least.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

A “Castle Law” is Good to have.

Armed Posse's were good in the days of the Old West too....

[DoughtyOne]

That’s about what I’ve been told too. If the guy happens to crawl out the door, be sure to drag them back in. Hey, it works.

[SierraWasp]

America! Where every man was a king, his spouse was a queen, his well educated children were his pride and legacy, his home was his castle and they were as sovereigns on their own land, enjoying the control that ownership had always provided!!!

Alas... it is no more!!!

Now even the fish in one's own pond, or stream are the state's and a license/permit is required to fish in it!!!

This is progress??? This has been the looting of America's hard won tradition!!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks,....

[EasySt]

"This person who killed his neighbor's burglars had no right. He should have gotten his own burglars to kill. He should be made to pay triple damages and provide his neighbor 6 burglars to kill."

Ok, that's that hardest I've laughed in at least a week.

Too funny! Thanks!

[river rat]

"Joe shot these guys in the back with a shotgun and got by with it."

When the right to use deadly force is present - there are NO RULES requiring "fair play"

The ONLY fair fight is the one you win, they die.

A dead perp, is a silent witness.