DA: Shooting of would-be robber 6 times was murder

Associated Press ^ | May 27, 2009

[Free ThinkerNY]

(AP) — OKLAHOMA CITY - A pharmacist who shot a would-be robber six times was charged with first-degree murder Wednesday, and the prosecutor said only the first shot was justified.

A security video shows two men bursting into the pharmacy May 19 and one of them, 16-year-old Antwun Parker, is shot. Pharmacist Jerome Ersland then is seen chasing the second man outside before he walks past Parker to get a second gun, returns to Parker and opens fire.

District Attorney David Prater said Ersland was justified in shooting Parker once in the head, but went too far when he shot Parker five more times while Parker lay unconscious on the floor.

[LongElegantLegs]

Antwun? Jesus, Mary and Joseph...

[CodeToad]

The DA is going to need to prove those other shots were the killing shots and prove they were not warranted.

[Born Conservative]

but went too far when he shot Parker five more times while Parker lay unconscious on the floor.

Here's a thought: how about the idea that PARKER went too far he burst into the pharmacy?

[goldstategop]

Good luck getting a conviction on a self-defense case.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Panzerlied]

Put me on the jury.

NOT GUILTY!

[achilles2000]

“The DA is going to need to prove those other shots were the killing shots and prove they were not warranted.”

Yes. Otherwise the maximum charge is desecration of a corpse ;-)

[pray4liberty]

All prosecutors need to be put in a war zone where people are really shooting at you, for about six months.

[pray4liberty]

My vote: NOT GUILTY

[fooman]

adrenaline . NG

[dadgum]

GUILTY

Of getting sick of the sh*t and doing something about it.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

The prosecutor is trying to delay the urban riot. Expect the case to fail. Then the riot happens. The prosecutor is politically off the hook.

[Vendome]

And how was the Pharmacist to ascertain that the robber/would be murderer was no longer a threat?

An empty gun generally insures the fight is over.

[Sudetenland]

The "Mad as Hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" defense is stretching it a bit. If the suspect/perp is down and out, there is not legal justification to returning to pump a few more into him...as soul satisfying as that my be.

I suspect that the DA has a pretty good case here. You are justified in shooting as often as you need to eliminate the threat to you, but once a perp is no longer a threat, then you are on shakey grounds if you keep on firing...especially if it is on tape.:)

[politicalmerc]

He hit him in the head with the first shot. I would argue the kid was dead and the other shots were superfluous. Furthermore he was in a fight or flight adrenalin rush. You can’t expect him to act with a great deal of rational thought.

[GILTN1stborn]

Someone should start a legal defense fund, even if he is found not guilty, it is likely to cost him big time.

[dfwgator]

Ok, fine him $5, he can mail it in.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The DA has one problem.

A jury of the pharmacist's peers would never find him guilty.

[cizinec]

Yes, folks, he's a dumbocrat

Here is his web site

If I lived in Oklahoma County I'd send his butt packing.

[Minn]

First degree murder? The pharmacist plotted to be robbed and shoot the perpetrator?