http://http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_marinesentenced_080223/

Thoughts? Granted, I don't believe fatally wounding him was the right decision, an intruder is an intruder and should be dealt with accordingly.

What do ya'll think about this?

 

An intruder is an intruder, but this guy chased the perp a quarter mile, then shot him?

Hard to say, one thing is for sure, he's ALIVE! 2 years isn't all that long compared to....... dead.

 

He was unjustified in shooting that guy because he chased him down and he was unarmed. Had he shot him on his property with a club, knife or even one of his hammers in his hand he would have gotten away with it.

I hate a thief, I mean absolutely HATE them, but unless you are in immediate danger, pulling that trigger just isn't justified. No doubt by the time he fired their were all kinds of witnesses who could testify that the thief did not pose a credible threat to him at the moment of the shooting.

Having said that I feel nothing for the guy that was shot and killed. The rest of us are better off because of his actions, but the law says other wise.

 

Oh, and the restitution is a joke, they'd have to garnish my pay or put judgments against me to get any of that.

Guy may have not made the best decision, but he should be able to do his time and move on, not pay all that money over 4 years. I mean, what is that money going to do?

 

P.J..can't you see he killed the guy while he was trying to earn a decent living as a thief? Somebody has to pay for lost income because of it

Thats real justice there guys

 

That's what I'm thinking.

Restitution is totally warranted and deserved in many cases, I'm failing to see how this is one of them.

We had a guy here locally that startled a thief when he was coming out his front door, leaving for work at 5 AM. Guy was trying to steal the rims off of his car out in front of the house.

Similar outcome, he shot the guy in the back while fleeing.

Not too bright really. Even though I have no use for a thief or liar, life is too short to kill someone over rims.

 

I hate to say it, but he got off easy with 2yrs.

 

I just went thru 9hrs of CCW. They specifically said you cannot shoot to protect your belongings, only your life or the life of those with you. As angry as I would be to see someone trying to take my stuff, I don't know that it would cross my mind to shoot them. Punch him in the head and break his leg - for sure. But not to take a life.

In CCW training they strongly emphasized avoiding conflict. I didn't read the article, only the posts here. But even if you chased the guy with no intention of harming, only catching, and then he turned on you... Now you fear for your life and safety.... The court will see it that you asked for the fight, thru the act of chasing, and you'll probably still go to jail.

 

I didnt want to respond to this post, becasue I was afraid no-one would like what i have tosay, but ... Top, PJ and Red are right, chasing the guy a quarter mile adn shooting him while he was trying to climb afence toget away sort of takes away the "immiment peril" aspect of things....

 

Good points guys. At the end of the article, he said he felt for the life of himself and his family. I may fear for my life at a different point than you. You would think though that he would be able to control his emotion a bit better than that having done two tours in Iraq.

 

That probably didn thelp him with his "feared for my life" tetimony( not arguing he didnt) but I am sure a jury or judge took into consideration taht this was a combat vet and a marine... I doubt they thought he was as afraid of this guy as someone else might be who did not have that background.

 

Agreed. I think he just took everything a bit further than necessary. He should have let the guy go, called the cops and given them a description. Now if the BG had a weapon of any sort and had any intention of using it on me, you bet I would be unloading on him.

 

Another consideration, especially for a trained vet... if the guy had a "lookout" that was armed or lead him into another trap or ambush? Not to mention risk of contaminating the trail for a dog if he lost the guy.

 

Is it possible for a 30yr old to have fought in both Iraq wars? I don't recall when Desert storm took place? 1990?

 

Two tours in the current war. He went to the box twice.