Posted on 11/07/2002 3:20:48 PM PST by Coleus
Edited on 04/29/2004 2:01:35 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
TOM'S RIVER, New Jersey (CNN) -- A teen-ager was sentenced Friday to life in prison for carjacking and killing a teacher, who managed to record secretly the attack and her desperate pleas to be spared.
Michael LaSane, 17, will not be eligible for parole for 30 years. He pleaded January 27 to felony murder in the death of Kathleen Weinstein, 45.
(Excerpt) Read more at europe.cnn.com ...
Maybe a different outcome, maybe not. The point is that the State of NJ unconstitutionally denied this woman her 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms and the right to CHOOSE to defend herself with those arms. A choice that, if exercised, may have prevented her death. I find it incredible that the majority of the same folks who call themselves "pro-choice" when it comes to abortion are anti-choice (pro-death) when it comes to self-defense.
Coleus, holy cow! I remember this case from years ago and was happy when that dirtbag got tossed in the clink. That predator clearly should not be walking freely among us.
It seems to me that the murder conviction and the defense attorney having sex with the dirtbag's mom wouldn't have bearing on whether the guy was guilty or not. So, now we have to spend about a zillion dollars on a new trial. Unbelievable.
As far as RKBA, that lefty bliss-ninny would never have taken advantage of the right to carry a firearm. Her best hope would have been to "go along for the free ride" when others carry firearms and the criminals just get concerned to the point they believe John & Jane Q. Public could ventilate them with a .357 Magnum if they do something stupid.
Thanks for the ping. That is an unfortunate development for this case...
~ Blue Jays ~
A gun would have given her a chance, which is more than she had. But, that's all a gun would have given her, a chance. I get tired of statements of certainty like, "It would have been different if she was armed." Unfortunately, good guys lose gunfights too.
Well, I don't know about free, but you could at least hang the jury and cause a mistrial.
But just as clearly, this woman's death can be laid at the doorstep of the New Jersey State Legislature, and the New Jersey Governor's Mansion. A state government which has, for years, gone out of its way to disarm the peaceable citizens of the state bears some responsibility for their injury or death when they are attacked. I don't honestly expect the Legislature and Governor of New Jersey to accept responsibility for their crimes against the people, nor to repeal the statutes rendering them defenseless, though. Admitting wrongdoing is not government's strength.
Melas, in this situation I must disagree with your post.
This lady drove around, talked, cried, consoled, counseled, advised, and tape-recorded this poor, underprivileged yoot.
If she was of tougher stock and had a small Glock in her purse, she wouldn't have been making a documentary of her death. Instead, she would have simply stuck the muzzle in the dirtbag's ear and resolved the problem by putting him down for naptime.
It's a moot point. You can tell from the story that this lady didn't have the intestinal fortitude to do what needed to be done. She was a victim waiting for a crime.
~ Blue Jays ~
She discussed self-respect,>> typical liberal hogwash used in the schools every day. She should have "fought" for her life from the very beginning.
Read about what REAL Americans are doing to protect themselves, their property and families. In order to own and use a gun, one must have the will to live and protect self, property and family and believe in liberty and the 2nd amendment.
I don't know how to reply other than to say I'm appalled at your obvious contempt for those who're weaker than yourself. One of the lessons of bushi is that a warrior does not hold the gentle people beneath him.
Not everyone is a fighter. Asking a kitten to be a fighter is a waste of your time and it just gets the kitten's ass kicked.
Wow! The now-banned poster "LEXINLA" had a doozy of a reply in post# 87. Keep it up, trolls. The moderators here have got you all figured out...
~ Blue Jays ~
Posted by Melas:
"...I don't know how to reply other than to say I'm appalled at your obvious contempt for those who're weaker than yourself. One of the lessons of bushi is that a warrior does not hold the gentle people beneath him..."
Melas, I believe you have misread my post. I do not hold this teacher in contempt. In fact, she was probably a delightful, warm, and kind person. The exact person you hope to have as a next-door neighbor.
My point is that her fate was doomed from the start. Whether her life was preordained to intersect with a carjacker, airplane terrorist, or quickie-mart robber, her destiny was to emerge holding the shortest straw.
The women in my family are sweet, soft-spoken, and gentle but will fight like a cornered badger if threatened. Giving, helpful, and respectful to everyone unless the warrior spirit needs to be instantaneously awakened...
That's my point. This poor woman couldn't "call upon those reserves" in a time when unrestrained violence was appropriate...because self-preservation wasn't part of her composition. Hopefully this is clearer for you.
~ Blue Jays ~
I get your point. My point is that not everyone has a warrior spirty to awaken, and that's perfectly ok. Really, not everyone is cut out for rough stuff.
Posted by Melas:
"...My point is that not everyone has a warrior spirty to awaken, and that's perfectly ok..."
Hopefully as a society we're able to find and isolate most of the murderers, rapists, and brigands before they hurt someone. Unfortunately, we don't know who will cross paths with the monsters first.
In that case, being prepared in mind, body, and hardware can help you rise as the victor. If one doesn't have it, one doesn't have it...and that is unfortunate. That is why she became a statistic. The only thing we can do is help those around us to cultivate a healthy fighting spirit.
~ Blue Jays ~
We're of different schools of thought there. You're referring to what the Japanese called Tamashi. It's not something that can be instilled in a man (or a woman). It's either there, or it is not. It can only be cultivated in those who possess it to begin with, which is of a course a small minority of people.
All I know is that it's common knowledge that once a criminal, kidnapper or murderer has you on his terms or his territory you are a goner and considered dead. Police tell children to fight, yell, kick and scream and never get into that car.
I recall the case. This lady would not have carried. Please don't reduce everyone to your political position. I support RKBA, and while millions of people carry, and millions of others will, if their states pass concealed-carry laws, millions of other people still won't pack weight.
"...it's common knowledge that once a criminal, kidnapper or murderer has you on his terms or his territory you are a goner and considered dead..."
Meanwhile, this poor lady is flipping cassettes on her tape recorder to document her efforts...because she really didn't think she would/could be killed. Too bad she didn't simply open the door and run away at a stoplight or when they encountered slower traffic...
I'll scream if this young criminal gets sprung from prison and returns as a plague on society...
~ Blue Jays ~
Posted by mrustow:
"...millions of other people still won't pack (firearms)..."
Mrustow, that is the beauty of CCW. Even bliss-ninnies get to "go along for the free ride" because the criminals and deviants don't know who has the guns. CCW reduces crime because criminals are cowards who prefer an unfair fight on unsuspecting and unarmed victims.
~ Blue Jays ~
That's true, but that was not the point the FReeper I was responding to had made. He was saying that she WOULD have been packing.
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.