Council Resolution to Repeal ‘Castle Doctrine’ After Trayvon Killing (Philadelphia)

Philadelphia Weekly ^ | April 13, 2012 | Randy LoBasso

[2ndDivisionVet]

In light of Trayvon Martin’s murder making national headlines, and the arrest of shooter George Zimmerman this week, Philadelphia City Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. thinks we need to change our state’s laws so the same sh*t doesn’t happen here. And since some of the controversy in the case allegedly revolves around the Florida police’s hands being tied by that state’s “Stand your ground” law, he wants Pennsylvania to repeal the “Castle Doctrine.” The Castle Doctrine, a less extreme version of some states’ Stand Your Ground laws, was signed last year by Gov. Tom Corbett after having been vetoed by former Gov. Ed Rendell. Jones says his resolution is meant to avoid future kills and riots. “We’re asking the legislature to repeal that law because copycats are everywhere and so they are going to test the theory of whether or not you can be the aggressor based on some trumped up reason,” Jones said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen in court whether the assailant will be found guilty or innocent. But I can tell you if he is found innocent there will be replications of that and people will be fighting in the streets like in the Old West.”

Jones also introduced a bill to Council amending the Philadelphia fire code which would allow one and two family dwelling to use battery-powered smoke alarms “if they are equipped with 10-year non-removable (sealed) batteries.” Council also honored fallen firefighters Lt. Robert Neary and Daniel Sweeny with a moment of silent and resolutions....

[doug from upland]

Jones says his resolution is meant to avoid future kills and riots

If a black family is protecting their home from a black thug, there will be no problem. Isn't he worried about the safety of his black constituents?