[nathanbedford]

Loretta Dart said they stopped at the gravel bar before 2 p.m. but weren’t there long before Crocker confronted them with a gun, starting with her cousin who went to urinate. The man said they were on private property and to get out. He waved his gun around and fired it in the air and into the ground near Paul Dart and her cousin, Loretta Dart said. (Emphasis supplied)

Crocker told a detective that men were yelling at him “stating that they weren’t going to leave and that the gravel bar was public property,” court records say. At one point, Crocker told Kling, “I have the power here. I have the power,” Kling said. Kling said, “Put that gun down and we’ll see who has the power,” according to Loretta Dart. Kling, 24, of Robertsville, said he and his stepfather were trying to reason with the man. Then, Loretta Dart said, her cousin picked up a rock. (Crocker told police the man had a rock in each hand.) Her husband stood between her cousin and the gunman. (Emphasis supplied)

“My husband tried to calm the guy down,” Loretta Dart said. “He went to the guy’s arm to try to stop him, but the guy jerked back and popped him in the face.” (Emphasis supplied)

Not an easy case.

It seems to me that the right to self-defense was forfeited as at the time Crocker began shooting. He certainly committed a crime at that point and an assault as well. It is hard to understand how he could avail himself of the right of self-defense when he commenced a chain of events that caused the deceased's party to arm themselves with rocks. It is hard understand how he would have the right to self-defense under the circumstances.

But we have heard really only one side of the story.

[Graybeard58]

But we have heard really only one side of the story.

True that. A lot depends on the races of the individuals involved. I don't know how the author of this piece expects us to make a judgement call with that piece of evidence omitted.

[Moonman62]

“My husband tried to calm the guy down,” Loretta Dart said. “He went to the guy’s arm to try to stop him, but the guy jerked back and popped him in the face.” (Emphasis supplied)

Is it possible that the guy who got shot was going for the gun? Tough case as you say, and we can't rely on what's in the paper either.

[Justa]

Unlawful discharge ...on his own property?

Seems to me he was in his rights. Boating and alcohol is dangerous in many ways.

To put it bluntly, would you approach an angry, armed man whose standing in his yard telling you to leave and go up and grab his arm? What were Kling’s last words “hold muh beer”?

[greeneyes]

Missourians have a right to self defense, however, they also have an obligation to prevent deaths. Both parties were obligated to withdraw from the confrontation.

The person with the gun fired without justifiable provocation: no one had fired at him or assaulted him. Also, if you don’t want tresspassers, you are supposed to clearly post the property.

The dead guy was young and acted in a dumb way. The correct and intelligent action to take when faced with such a person is to humor them. Just say sorry sir, we’ll be leaving right away.