Posted on 05/27/2009 1:31:14 PM PDT by pissant
An Oklahoma City pharmacist was charged today with first-degree murder in the May 19 shooting death of a would-be robber.
Chickasha resident Jerome Ersland, 57, on Tuesday said he was concerned about the scrutiny he has faced since the shooting.
The charge alleges Ersland shot Antwun Parker, 16, while he was incapacitated and lying on his back. Ersland’s account of the incident doesn’t match the video or the evidence collected at the scene, according to the affidavit written by Oklahoma City Police Detective David Jacobson.
Parker was shot once in the head and five times in the stomach area. The autopsy found Parker was still alive after the head shot and died from the stomach wounds.
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater is scheduled to discuss the case at an afternoon press conference.
Ersland has maintained he acted in self defense when he shot Parker to foil the robbery attempt.
He said two men in ski masks threatened him and two other employees when they burst into Reliable Discount Pharmacy, near SW 59 and Pennsylvania, demanding cash and drugs.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsok.com ...
It will be interesting to see what the security cameras show-if anything.
Pity he couldn’t empty another clip into the human debris.
Shouldn’t matter. You try to rob a business, the owner has every right to empty his clip in your sorry hide.
The news report even states the armed crook with the head shot tried to get up. Sorry, but in my book that qualifies you for the extra 5-shot bonus round.
There has been much discussion of this on OKshooters.com since the initial robbery/shooting as this pharmacist has talked extensively to the media (bad idea) and there have been demonstrations outside his store. He may be in a world of hurt from opening his mouth and inserting foot while on camera. As far as his intial actions, he was absolutely in the right because he shot to stop. After that, it gets dicey with the additional shots and attempting to pursue another fleeing perp.
In general you are right. However, if the robber is obviously incapacitated and one still shoots him, then the general rule may not apply. If the robber was struggling to get up then the merchant may be within bounds to shoot him again. The film may be important.
Not dicey in my book. Shoot to kill.
There is a poll there we need to keep it fair for law and order.
If one gets in a gun fight one should finish the gun fight by shooting to kill. It is easy for the armchair observer to say the bad guy was down and “incapacitated” but the good guy could not know for sure the threat was incapacitated.
The good guy did not start the gun fight. He finished it and brought peace to the pharmacy.
I’m going to guess the law says you have a right to stop the threat. I’m guessing a head wound, even if the robber is still alive has alleviated the threat.
I say give the man a medal and the keys to the city.
I imagine a number of “incapacitated” perps have killed the crime victim.
We get in to arguing "may not" and we play right into the anti-self defense crowds hands. We lose sight of the fact that no matter what happened to the human detritus on the floor, he initiated those results by trying to hold up the pharmacy in the first place.
If you don't want someone filling you full of holes, don't try to rob them. Disproportionate response may ensue.
Easy calculus even these little street goblins should be able to understand.
IMHO, the district attorney came under immense pressure (just a guess, but given the racial makeup of the 2 robbers I venture it’s a good guess) from the local community to press charges against the pharmacist. it’s only a matter of time before they’ll decide whether or not this was a “hate crime”..
again, IMHO, charges are being filed strictly as a political move to pacify anger in the community..the real test will be, if he’s found not guilty, what will the reaction be..
“However, if the robber is obviously incapacitated and one still shoots him, then the general rule may not apply”
He should get a reward for saving the taxpayers the medical bill, cost of trial, and imprisonment!!
Then the prosecutor needs to be fired ASAP.
Neither of us were there. The facts we do know are that two goblins tried to rob this guy and the guy shot one of them until the goblin was no longer a threat.
Good shoot in my book.
Charge them AND their families with the hate crime.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.