the robber shoots and kills that customer who later it's found out was a police officier who was off duty. Do you think that the robber should be charged for murdering a cop "which is more suvere punishment" or charged as though he was a civilian. I know murder is murder and yes they should be punished harshly. My point is the cop was off duty, the robber didn't know he was shooting a cop and maybe if the cop was in uniform the robber may have serrendered and things would have turned out differently. Do you feel that the robber should be charged with killing a civilian or cop? Please keep in mind that states do come down harder on people who knowingly kill cops. What do you think?
2007-07-30 17:13:34 · 11 answers · asked by dizzymom 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
The police is not on actual duty at the time of the incident and was only a passers by customer but not knowing that he is a police officer, the robber shoot him to cause his death instantly. A case for murder should be filed in court against the said culprit as usual but not on the capacity that he have shoot a police officer , the fact tht he is not on actual duty at that time.
jtm
2007-07-30 17:27:14 · answer #1 · answered by Jesus M 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I bet the officer identified himself as an officer, since even though officially an officer may not be "on-duty", officers have full police powers 24/7 and are always seen as on-duty.
I do not know what the courts would say, but I believe that legally the robbery suspect should also be charged with murdering a police officer.
Anyone willing to shoot another person over a few dollars when robbing a store does not care if they are shooting a police officer or a citizen.
Also...at no point ever would this be considered manslaughter, officer or not. This is murder, pure and simple. Manslaughter is unintentional death.
2007-07-31 01:04:53 · answer #2 · answered by Vindicaire 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't matter that the victim was an off-duty cop or not!
The robber made that decision to pull the trigger!
If the victim was a cop then the robber will be charged with killing a cop which is a felony.
What about if the tables were turned and the customer or store clerk drew a weapon and shot the robber dead?
Robbers, Felons,and the rest of the crooks out there in civilized society are gamblers! gambling with their own lives, they just don't know if the average citizen are armed too!
2007-07-31 00:23:09 · answer #3 · answered by D. M. 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Killing a cop. When I see something off duty that I can stop I say that I am a cop and show my badge. The person most likely saw the badge and didn't care so they should be charged for killing a cop.
2007-07-31 00:54:21 · answer #4 · answered by Steven C 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I feel certain that even if the cop was off duty, he would have identified himself as a cop. Plus, murder during the commission of a crime carries extra weight itself.
So, I'd have to say yes.
BTW, in comment to D.M.'s answer. I am an average citizen and I am armed! Yes, legally. And a damn fine shot.
2007-07-31 00:49:08 · answer #5 · answered by class act 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Killing a cop will aggravate the crime even when the person does not know that the person killed was a policeman.
2007-07-31 01:57:00 · answer #6 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He committed murder in the commission of a robbery punishable by capital punishment. Granted that the state your live in has this.
Edit;
http://www.weblocator.com/attorney/tx/law/c13.html#txc130500
Capital murder is similar to murder. A person convicted of capital murder will receive a death sentence. Capital murder is murder under any of the following circumstances:
Murder of someone the defendant knows is a peace officer or fire fighter acting in his or her official capacity
Murder committed intentionally during an aggravated sexual assault, arson, burglary, kidnapping, obstruction, retaliation, or robbery
All this is Texas law. The law may vary in your state.
2007-07-31 00:17:24 · answer #7 · answered by Glen B 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
He killed a civilian, who just happened to be an off-duty cop...and that's how he should be charged.
2007-07-31 00:23:09 · answer #8 · answered by night-owl gracie 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If the Cop didn't identify himself-the person should be charged with manslaughter. (Unless he was in possession of a crystal ball or is a certified mind reader)
2007-07-31 00:26:51 · answer #9 · answered by MAK 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If he didn't know the guy was a cop, he should only be hung till he is dead once. If he knew the guy was a cop, he should be hung till he is dead twice. How's that?
2007-07-31 00:33:28 · answer #10 · answered by Fred C 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋