Posted on 03/29/2012 6:55:45 AM PDT by marktwain
A law that gives Texans rights similar to those offered the shooter of Trayvon Martin if they are at home is causing controversy. The law covers when you can use lethal force to defend yourself.
Jimmy Hooks fired two shotgun rounds toward a man he says was stealing from his pickup truck. The incident happened Monday night around the 500 block of Berry Street.
And several of his neighbors say they feel good knowing that they can legally take matters into their own hands if they feel threatened.
"We never locked our doors, never locked our cars. We left our keys in them." Jimmy Hooks said.
For the majority of his 30 years in his home, Hooks was able to live peacefully.
But crime has risen in the neighborhood since those days.
"My alarm goes off, I go outside and there's a guy in my truck. He sees me and takes off running and I tell him, you need to stop. He didn't so I shot in the air and then shot twice," Hooks said, describing the incident from Monday night. .
But Hooks says the same burglar has stolen from his vehicles two other times.
The burglar stole pistols from him and he was scared the burglar was armed Monday night.
Neighbors call most of the crime in the area petty theft.
"Lately they been getting into the vehicles and there been guns and purses. all kinds of personal stuff stolen," Darren Jacobs said.
But Jacobs and other neighbors say they would have taken the same action as Hooks.
According to the Castle Doctrine in Texas, Hooks had the right to fire at the burglar.
The law says that a person can use lethal force in self defense or in the defense of another person, to protect their own property, or to protect another's property.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says it's important for Texans to know the law can be broad.
"You have to be justified. Just make sure if you use deadly force, you have a reason to use deadly force," Jefferson County Sheriff Deputy Rod Carroll said.
Hooks says he felt justified but if someone needs something, he and his neighbors offer a friendly alternative.
"If they need something, come talk to us. But don't be stealing it," Hooks said.
The Castle Doctrine also states that a person is justified in using force, but not deadly force, against another person if it's to keep them from committing suicide or hurting themselves. Deadly force is legal in that instance only if it is an emergency.
No arrests have been made in connection to the burglary of hooks truck.
But a neighbor tells12 News HD they will be doing a photo line up of a person of interest tomorrow.
I can relate with #2. When hunting in South Texas we would always leave our camp unlocked and bread and water on the counter when we were gone for extended periods of time. Otherwise there was a possiblity of illegals breaking in and tearing the place apart looking for food.
So let the little thugs walk around your neighborhood and do absolutely nothing about it, until your daughter gets raped, your home is burglarized 3 times in a year, or your next door neighbor is brutally murdered then. You are a simple person with no respect for people’s right to defend themselves from idiots like the insects you preport to defend.
Come on. He yelled, and gave the guy a chance to turn around. Not the victim’s fault if the perp wouldn’t.
Where does it say that he shot him in the back??? You making things up. It says he fired in the air. Stupid criminal is lucky.
I hate it when people think that a criminal and especially an armed criminal deserves protection of any sort. These criminals who break into cars and homes are just asking to be shot. Go to another state and stay out of TX.
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