I would lean toward a sympathetic response to just about anything a man did on his property that could be interpreted as protecting himself or his family against a superior number of drunk, angry, and rowdy teenagers. The details matter, but they had no business on his property and such a situation could easily cross the line beyond which armed self-defense was a reasonable response.
Continuing the article: "Mr Spota said a court, upheld by an appellate court, agreed that a reasonable person wouldn't have believed deadly force was needed that hot summer night."
My question is whether a reasonable person could have reached that decision while outnumbered by a bunch of angry drunks in the available time and with mere inches separating him from the nearest belligerent. I don't know the answer to that question, and I would have to read the trial testimony in detail before I was happy with either answer. Again, however, I have significant sympathy for the homeowner confronting multiple drunken intruders on his property.
You keep saying “on his property”. Where do you get this?
Also, you speak of Mr. White being within inches of the belligerents. How do you suppose this came to pass?
I think a reasonable person would have first dialed 911 asking for help. Arming oneself to confront a mob shows me an intent to reach a violent conclusion.
“I would lean toward a sympathetic response to just about anything a man did on his property that could be interpreted as protecting himself or his family against a superior number of drunk, angry, and rowdy teenagers. The details matter, but they had no business on his property and such a situation could easily cross the line beyond which armed self-defense was a reasonable response.”
I agree. On this thread, the undisputed facts are: (1) Four angry young men; (2) Drunk; (3) Confronting one old guy; on (4) The old guy’s property; and (5) One young man was three inches from the gun when it went off.
If I’m on my property pointing a gun at four angry drunk teens, one should not get within three inches of my gun. That is a threat to my person if you disarm me, which at that range and given the strength and speed difference due to age is reasonably likely.
There’s probably more to the story. But I’d have to see quite a bit more before I would condemn the old guy for this. The young lady who lied about the rape should go to jail and should be on her knees there begging forgiveness of everyone involved.
What a sad thing for the kid’s parents and family. And, for the shooter and his family. Ninety percent of the really stupid, sad things on the news involve young men and drugs or alcohol.
What a lousy, messed up world. I am so ready for the Lord to come again and put things right.