Back in February a local 81 year old man shot at two men who were stealing his trailer. He hit one of the thieves in the face, but both bad guys ended up surviving the encounter. The problem is that the bad guys were driving away at the time.
Robert Joseph Wallace, the 81 year old in question, just pleaded guilty to two felonies, attempted reckless manslaughter and illegal discharge of a firearm.
Luckily for him he had a compassionate DA and judge and was only sentenced to probation. That being said, he still is a convicted felon with all that entails. He is also much poorer, having likely given his lawyer large sums of money in order to keep him out of prison. He was originally facing two counts of attempted first degree murder.
Self defense does not mean protection of property. This isn't like the old days where you can shoot the guy stealing your horse and end up with a pat on the back from the local sheriff. It is very hard to justify fearing for your life as the bad guys are driving away with your stuff. Shooting at another person is a last resort action. It is a kill or be killed (or seriously injured) situation.
A flatbed trailer is not worth prison time or two years of probation and the loss of rights associated with being a felon. A flatbed trailer is not worth another person's life, no matter how worthless that person is.
1 year ago
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