Man Who Stabbed Burglar Guilty of Manslaughter (Big Barf!)

Times Online (London) ^ | September 11, 2002 | Steve Bird

[asformeandformyhouse]

Well, the guy who broke into the house was armed - he had a crow bar.

Oh, I agree. He got what he deserved. But when the concept of a 'throw-down' knife rather than a gun came to me, I couldn't resist laughing out loud.

[RogueIsland]

Taking a life while protecting your property will get you a manslaughter rap most anywhere in the US, too.

No, that's really not correct as long as the shooting occurs in your home. I'm pretty sure most states in the US are still Castle Doctrine states. Basically, as long as your statement to the authorities is that "I thought he was armed, was in fear for my life, and shot in self-defense" and you never vary from that, it is very unlikely that you will be charged, let alone convicted, for shooting an intruder in those states. There are a few states that require you to retreat even in your own home, but I hate to say it, if you choose to live in such a Gulag then you have to live with the legal consequences.

[walwyn]

Whats your problem?

[Sinner6]

The moral of the story is don't just mame burglars... finish them off.

[Sinner6]

Institutions of modern democracy are derived, not from the Greeks, but from the British I would like to point out that native americans also gave us some good ideas for democracy.

[freeeee]

I disagree with your opinion that this man deserves jail for defending his home.

That, and I think you're a troll.

[motexva]

The article says the burglar suffered 12 wounds. I can think of scenarios where 12 stabs or slashes could be explained, I would have to know where the wounds were and the sequence they were delivered - if all the stab wounds were in the guy's back, I would be inclined to think manslaughter for this case. Actually with that many wounds I'm inclined to think it probably was manslaughter.

[Ohioan]

Williams was a thoroughly bad hat in the eyes of the law. But, as a human being, he is just as entitled to the freedom to live as anyone else

A man's freedom to live presumes that he is not going out of his way to threaten others. When he goes out of his way to threaten others, he invites whatever response he may get.

This result shows a very strange new system of values in a once proud nation. That a father needs to use a bread knife to defend his family is the sad thing; not that a burglar died.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

[reagent]

If you're fearing for the life and safety of yourself and your family, are you really going to wait for someone to turn around and then tag him a couple times in the hope that he won't crack you on the head? Or, are you going to immobilize him as best you can, and keep your family safe? I know which one I would choose.

[fourdeuce82d]

if all the stab wounds were in the guy's back, I would be inclined to think manslaughter for this case. Actually with that many wounds I'm inclined to think it probably was manslaughter.

Not necessarily true at all- if the guy had been tied up, then stabbed, maybe.

I imagine the average person could deliver 12 wounds in about 2-3 seconds- it's dark, you're rolling around, maybe the guy is a lot bigger than you and hasn't responded to the first 2-3 stabs- Twelve wounds, front or back, doesn't really tell us a whole lot. Well, except that they weren't well placed, since the guy did get up and wander off, after all.

[walwyn]

Lets see. The guy didn't live there. He didn't even know his family were staying with relatives. He has a history of violent assault with a knife and burglary. He manages to stab the burglar 12 times in the back. It sounds like a violent assault, not defending property.

Probably would have done the same to any man found in the house, ex-wife's boyfriend, locksmith.

We'll see on sentencing if the Judge reckons the Jury messed up he'll get a suspended sentence.

[cinFLA]

In the old days, they used to say that an Englishman's home is his castle (i.e. don't dare step in his home without permission, or you will be in deep trouble).

Yes. Maryland law is based on that old English law. While many consider MD very "liberal" the old law still rules and one does not have to retreat if an invader enters the home.

[eternity]

Gee. My source of defense is an Adirondack 28 inch Jackie Robinson all-star model. I guess I would get a lifetime suspension from baseball too!

[cruiserman]

Taking a life while protecting your property will get you a manslaughter rap most anywhere in the US, too.

Not as described, unless you live in Baltimore.

[maxwell]

He has a history of violent assault with a knife and burglary.

BEEEEEEEEEP BEEEEEEEEEEP BEEEEEEEEP

Check yo sheeat, newbie, that was the PERP Williams who had the rap sheet.

Get on back to Lalaland now...

[trisham]

Lets see. The guy didn't live there. He didn't even know his family were staying with relatives. He has a history of violent assault with a knife and burglary. He manages to stab the burglar 12 times in the back. It sounds like a violent assault, not defending property. Probably would have done the same to any man found in the house, ex-wife's boyfriend, locksmith.

Williams, 35, who had many criminal convictions, including some for violent offences, was wanted by police. He had carefully selected the property where Hastings’s wife and children live.

It was the burglar, Williams, who had the history of violent assault, not the man (Hastings) who stabbed him.

[JackOfVA]

Here in the (former) Colonies, we would call that a "hung jury".

Not always. Some states (Oregon at least, but I believe there are a few more) allow non-unanimous criminal verdicts.

Jack

[walwyn]

Before you leap to the insults check your facts 'cos you haven't read the original article to the end have you?

Both have rap sheets, both are/were violent little shits.

In Hastings case it seems that his wife had kicked him out. The fact that he didn't know they were staying with relatives sounds like his wife and kids hiding from him too.

[maxwell]

Well I duly apologize.

[walwyn]

No problem.