MovieChat Forums > Politics > Would you acquit or convict?

Would you acquit or convict?

posted 3 years ago by joej2923 (3021)
10 replies | jump to latest

A former cop was convicted of murdering his neighbor who had come to his door. The shooter claims that the neighbor banged so hard on the door that the door opened. They had been arguing for three years and the neighbor was a national guardsman who was trained to fight. A restraining order was taken out against the neighbor's wife six months previously and cops had been to the property to resolve prior disputes.

I would have voted to acquit since the neighbor knocked open the front door in a violent manner. Virginia has a castle doctrine that allows for the defense of the home. The only question for me is whether the shooter is allowed to shoot at the neighbor as he flees. I think the shooter would be justified to shoot his neighbor in the back since the threat from the neighbor would not end as long as they shared a wall.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10097417/Cop-turned-NASA-exec-guilty-murdering-National-Guardsman-neighbor-years-long-feud.html

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/springfield-man-accused-of-killing-neighbor-found-guilty-of-first-degree-murder

[–] Rorikon (17855) 3 years ago

Need to see full video of the encounter. I'm a bit conflicted. Was the NG the one doing the loud music, garbage, and dog poop? If so, I am leaning on acquit as well (personally despise loud music or what's allowed by law on the given db range). As usual with these situations that don't get resolved, ticking time bomb.

[–] joej2923 (3021) 3 years ago

These two had a history so the neighbor was probably not inviting the shooter over for Sunday dinner. The neighbor's wife is fifteen years older than the victim so that might explain how a 24-year-old was living in a pretty nice townhouse. It occurred to me that the victim might have grabbed a gun and returned fire if he had escaped to his house.

[–] kspkap (13555) 3 years ago

I am pro-gun, pro-defense, but looking at these stills makes me believe the verdict was justified. If the victim had gained entrance to the home then the shooting would have been justified. I don’t believe “knocking loudly” would force open a door. If the victim had knocked violently and the home wasn’t breached the shooter should have called 911, stood by with weapon drawn until police arrived.

The exact same set of circumstances happened to my husband and me. We were watching tv when all of a sudden someone was pounding violently on our front door. My husband grabbed his weapon, went to the door, but didn’t open it. He called 911, shouted at the guy he had called the police and warned the guy he would be shot if he entered. The guy was drunk and angry. The police said he was looking for his girlfriend who had stranded him.

[–] joej2923 (3021) 3 years ago

I guess he never crossed the threshold so castle doctrine may not be easy to assert. The article below indicates that a restraining order was denied against the victim but that might have prevented the encounter. It does sound like the shooter came out shooting. I would still acquit but I can understand the guilty verdict.

https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2021/10/springfield-va-man-accused-of-murder-in-killing-caught-on-ring-central-video-takes-the-stand-in-his-own-defense/

[–] Keelai (34858) 3 years ago

Convict. There is no self-defense when you shoot someone running away. And there is no self-defense when you shoot someone who is laying on the ground. He also threatened a woman who posed no threat to him.

20 to life. Hopefully, he'll get life for his wanton violence.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

I hope someone kicks in your door and threatens you with violence for 3 years see how you act asshole

[–] brux (14724) 3 years ago

I hope it is you!

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

They'll get shot same as this asshat and I hope its you knocking on my door dickless

[–] brux (14724) 3 years ago

As usual you don't bother to read. I hoped it was you knocking on someone's door.

[–] brux (14724) 3 years ago

You're an idiot who knows nothing about the law, and you insult the law just by posting this garbage.