Dallas man shoots trespasser; charged with murder

Dallas Morning Snooze | April 15

[GeronL]

Resident arrested after suspected burglar killed

A 55-year old Dallas man was arrested late Sunday after he fatally shot a suspected burglar outside his house, police said. According to police reports, Sammy J. Jones confronted 43-year old Billy Canady about 11:30PM after hearing noises outside his house in the 3200 block of Spring Avenue. Witnesses say he shot Mr. Canady who staggered away and collapsed. Mr. Jones was arrested on a charge of murder,and police said the case would be forwarded to a grand jury.

[patton]

Somebody change the law in texas?

[Jolly Green]

In Texas, the law says (supposedly) that you can shoot them on your property after dark. We need more details.

[Amore]

I thought everybody knew. You're supposed to drag the body back into the house after you shoot them.

[agitator]

Speaking from personal experience, the rules usually also apply to intruders threatening immediate bodily harm who are physically on "appurtenances" to your home - which usually translates to your porch, deck, steps, etc. Once you step off of any of those, you had better have a good song and dance ready.

[Cultural Jihad]

Everyone has heard the yarn: "Shoot first and then drag the body half way inside the home before calling the sheriff." The reality is that jurors and prosecutors do not want to see people murdered for scratching at a window outside. A human life cannot morally assuage the rage someone feels at the thought of their TV being possibly stolen.

[Uncle Miltie]

A friend of mine back from Vietnam, and not yet calmed down from being an Airborne Ranger, had an apartment on the beach in California. One night, he heard a rustling downstairs, and went to investigate.

Seeing the prospective burgler at the sliding glass door, my friend retreived his shotgun, hid behind the sofa and waited. When the burgler finally broke and entered, my friend stood up and said, "You picked the wrong apartment!" He blew away the fellow's knees, knocking him back through the sliding glass door.

Well, this wouldn't do. So, my friend dragged the burgler back through the door into the apartment where he had been when shot, and called the cops.

When the cops arrived, the old Sargent looked at the open door, the blood trail, and said, "Dragged him back through the door? Good idea."

Burgler went to prison, kneeless. Friend became multi-millionaire software executive.

[patton]

TV? Piss on my TV.

I am more worried about my kids being stolen.

[GeronL]

I don't know, I think its okay to shoot trespassers. I also think that we should expand the death penalty to include rape, child molestation, voting Democrat.....

[GeronL]

he did a good job!

[Sci Fi Guy]

The rules are: When they are in the house you can shot them. You can't shot they outside unless you are in danger of injury, I think.

I've heard that the rule is shoot only when you believe that someone's life is in danger and there is no other choice i.e. you cannot escape, call for help, etc.

[breakem]

Murder?

[GeronL]

I would not bet that he would get jail time. It might not even get to court. This is still Texas, mostly.

[breakem]

even so, the charge seems way too high for starters

[in the Arena]

That was my understanding...but it comes from reading comments on the web. I guess a link to an actual statue would be in order.

[krogers58]

I'd definitely want a jury trial....

[<1/1,000,000th%]

I wasn't aware of that. I'd hate to deliver pizza's in Texas.

Last time I checked, there was less violent crime in the entire state of Texas then there was in the People's Democratic Republic of Chicago. There are 28 million Texans and 2.3 million Chicagoans. You're safer in Texas.