Posted on 03/20/2010 7:19:14 AM PDT by marktwain
A grand jury declined to indict a bait camp owner who fatally shot a patron banned from the business.
Robert Stanley Ott, 52, was no-billed in the Oct. 22 killing of Michael Wayne Hansen, 55, who was found dead in his pickup in the driveway of Ott’s Santa Fe home, Galveston County Criminal District Attorney Kurt Sistrunk said in a Friday statement.
After convening five times, the grand jury’s decision Thursday not to charge Ott came after instructions on offenses of murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and the use of deadly force in self-defense, Sistrunk said.
During those meetings, the grand jury saw evidence and heard testimony from Santa Fe police and others, Sistrunk said.
Ott said he and his family were glad to put the tragedy behind them.
“I’ve been living this nightmare for five months,” Ott said. “I regret that the incident happened, but I was in a position where I had to defend my life.”
Ott owns Hall’s Bayou Bait Camp, from which Hansen was barred, Ott said.
“After threatening to kill me there, he came to my home property and pulled a gun,” Ott said. “I don’t know what made him feel he was welcome at my home property, especially with a gun, if he wasn’t welcome out there.”
Santa Fe police said Hansen displayed a gun in a threatening manner toward Ott. Police found Hansen dead with a gun in his hand, authorities said.
“I’m a hunter, I’m a 30-year member of the National Rifle Association, and I strongly believe in a person’s right to the Second Amendment,” Ott said.
Hansen’s wife, Shana Sweeney, said she would comment on the grand jury’s decision after meeting next week with Sistrunk.
Santa Fe Police Department’s investigation of the shooting was thorough, Sistrunk said.
(Excerpt) Read more at galvestondailynews.com ...
At least he had the choice to defend himself and that's why he's alive.
LibTards would rather of had a dead homeowner and a few years in timeout for the perp.
Rock on Texas and the 2nd.
What is a “Bait Camp”?
Just by reading the above, I wonder why it was felt necessary to convene a grand jury five times....
Perhaps it is a Fish Camp that serves sushi.
In my opinion, the “grand jury” process is often lopsided. The ones I've sat on were pretty much cut and dried with overwhelming evidence that the suspects should be brought to trial. But the suspects side of the story is not represented in front of the “grand jury”, only the prosecution is. Unless it's a DemonRAT politician, that is.
Interesting, thanks.
And I’m a hunter and angler. (grin)
Hard to believe there are people who don’t know what a “bait camp” is but apparently you are one. It is a store where you buy bait for fishing. It might be near the fishing grounds or in a near by town. They probably also sell beer and fish hooks.
On second thought, I don’t know what a “headstamp” is either.
I think the “camp” portion of the name kind of threw me a bit. Sounded like a place where they raise bait. LOL
We call them “Bait Shops” or stores up here in New Yawk.
That’s a tall person who is always “stamping” his head on something low.
I don’t know where the “camp” part comes from either. I know when I was a kid people used to “camp out” and have fishing lines out all night. We used to do that on Galveston beach. A big camp fire of drift wood and sleep in sleeping bags on the sand. Much fun and good memories. Today you would get your throat cut. The world has changed and not for the better.
Down here that is called a bump, a head bump, not a head stamp.
Is the sign still up at the grocery store in Gilchrist, I think it was, that had the large B and to the side said:
Beer, Bait, and Beans! That always cracked me up!
That makes me remember and old sign we bought from a bait camp on 61st in Galveston. It contained mis spelled words and it was hilarious. They didn't have change for a $20 and Mr Ditter said they could give him the sign instead. They jumped on the deal.
Ahhh. Reminds me of my flounder giggin’ nights around Galveston Bay. Good times.
I remember those floundering trips well. Mr dad was a big flounder gigger and he took me a time or two. I remember the night we disturbed a flock of birds. They woke up, and as they went over us they all pooped. yuck!
The sign outside might say “Beer, Bait, and Ammo”
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