La Marque: Homeowner stops burglary

[seamusTX]

In the northwest corner of La Marque, on Prairie Knoll Drive, Wednesday night, a homeowner reportedly fatally shot a burglar. The homeowner is not expected to be charged, according to police.

A woman was taken into custody and described as having been "involved."

http://galvestondailynews.com/story/175090" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is a semi-rural area that is in La Marque mostly by accident. Coincidentally it is quite close too the Walmart where a woman defended herself from robbers, but the incidents are unrelated. These quick-in-quick-out areas near interstates are favorite targets of robbers and burglars.

- Jim

[ELB]

We've had the discussion about confidentiality (or lack thereof) of homeowners who blast an intruder, possible retaliation from intruder's friend/relatives/etc...

So it was interesting to note that the article begins, "Authorities on Thursday identified a homeowner who opened fire ..."

[seamusTX]

I don't know why the police think they need to "announce" the name of the homeowner. And BTW, in that area, there are so few houses that they might as well have published the exact address.

However, every homicide goes before a grand jury and becomes a matter of public record, so a determined vengeful family or gang member can find the information.

Unless the criminal was a member of a nasty gang or family of sociopaths (these exist), the situation probably will just recede into the past, as with Joe Horn.

Personally, I don't think it's reasonable to kill a human being, even when it is justifiable, and have the fact kept secret. A jury has to be the finder of fact in an open process.

You really wouldn't want it any other way if you think through the possible consequences. Back in the bad old days, sheriffs or coroners would declare shootings in the back to be suicides or accidents.

The homeowner is heard on the 911 recording telling police, “I need a unit out here quick.”

I wonder if he has attended Charles Cotton's lecture on use of deadly force.

- Jim

[seamusTX]

The alleged thief who was shot was reportedly trying to steal construction equipment that was stored outside.

He also had an extensive criminal record, mostly of theft and burglary charges.

The DA said that shooting would be referred to the grand jury without charges.

The possible involvement of the woman has not been determined.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story/175290" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[Oldgringo]

seamusTX wrote:

Personally, I don't think it's reasonable to kill a human being, even when it is justifiable, and have the fact kept secret. A jury has to be the finder of fact in an open process.

Isn't this kinda' what the newspaper editorial about the Wal-Mart shooting incident in La Marque was suggesting?

[seamusTX]

There's a difference between these incidents.

In this case, the suspected burglar was killed. All homicides have to go before the grand jury.

In the Walmart case, no one got hurt; and the burglars were still at large at the time the crime was first publicised. Police on the scene seemed to determine that the defender's actions were reasonable, or at least not criminal.

Also, the burglars had the woman's purse. That means that the burglars knew where she lived.

In addition to the justification of the use of deadly force to recover the proceeds of a robbery, we don't know what kind of threat the robbers may have made as they were fleeing. They may have been threatening to shoot back at the victim.

- Jim