What are opinions on the man who shot and killed two burglars coming out of his neighbors house?

Question

A man in Pasadena Texas, a suburb of Houston, shot and killed two burglars coming out of his neighbors house. The man was on the phone with the police and the recorded call is posted on Houston news websites where we can all listen to it.

Answer 1

Hopefully, he won't be charged with a crime. Doesn't sound like he killed anyone worth a damn.

If the shooting wasn't justified then he might find himself in some trouble.

Answer 2

I didn't hear about the case, but I can tell you that legally - you cannot use deadly force for a "property" crime. In other words, you cannot kill someone for stealing - especially if they're LEAVING; there's no threat to your life that would legallly allow you to use deadly force. Now... if they turned and faced you with a weapon or pointed a gun at him while fleeing, he might stand a chance, but the argument will be that he should not have gone outside and put himself in that danger; especially when he already had the police on the phone and would have been enroute; it's their job. I know that's not what anyone wants to hear and I don't necessarily agree, but that's the law and I've seen good, upstanding, honest, "innocent" citizens go to jail for things like that. A Burglar could conceivable get Probation or a short jail/prison term for that crime and the person that shot the Burglar could get all the way up to life in prison for murder or attempted murder. It's kinda farfetched, but not worth the risk for property that can be replaced - even if the police don't happen to catch them and get it back for you anyway.

Answer 3

I think the guys were beating up the stepson and demanding weed,,,now I dont know about all of you but anyone beating up my kids and demanding weed and money (which I beleive its what I read) no way am I just gonna stand there until they decide to leave. Too many years in Baltmore I've learned that a black man wont leave empty handed if you dont hand over the weed....I support the guy for what he did. Break ins in a white residence by 3 black dudes is F'n scary enough all on itself.

Answer 4

It's murder

Unless someone is inside of your own house and posing a threat you can't shoot them without a murder conviction. If they start to crawl out of the house while wounded, drag them back inside unless you want a murder conviction.

It's murder

Esmerald said it correctly, why not just call the police and get a description of them. I've had uncles who never visit my house, stop by the move furniture when I'm not home. I wouldn't want them shot buy some hillbilly neighbor who is paranoid. Why the thumb down? lol

Answer 5

What if the people had been relatives of the resident? What if they were just doing a repo? What if the neighbor had given keys to these folks to get in so they could pick up his stuff that he'd sold them?

I'd rather lose my stuff and know my neighbor isn't watching my house with a loaded gun in his hand. He should have called the police and left it at that!

Answer 6

Operator: You're going to get yourself shot if you go outside that house with the gun."

Caller: "You wanna make a bet? I'm going to kill them."


Pure MURDER! my opinion...he is just trigger happy.

Answer 7

Not enough information available yet to form an opinion but I'm inclined to side WITH citizens and AGAINST burglars.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?PAG=461&newsid=19023695

Answer 8

I wouldn't want him for a neighbor. He's obviously unstable, not clear thinking and a cracker. I have no use for a burglar, but death is a bit harsh.

Answer 9

It's a good thing they weren't Two Men in a Truck helping the guy move.
That's a bit harsh for burglary, if I gotta choose between some guy having my stuff and killing him, he can have my stuff. I can always get more stuff.
My 2cents

Answer 10

The last time I checked, burglary is not a crime punishable by death. He was not responsible for trial;conviction or punishment. He should be held accountable.