Thursday, December 23, 2004
Self Defense - here and there
An unwitting Shelby County, Ala., homeowner unknowingly helped in the capture of four inmates who had escaped from a Georgia prison. When the citizen arrived home early one morning, he found four men attempting to rob his house. the homeowner retrieved his gun and fired, hitting one in the face. The men fled but dropped their injured conspirator at a nearby store so that he could get medical attention. Shortly thereafter, the three other men were apprehended in the area without incident. The homeowner was not charged, according to the local district attorney, because, "If we as a society ever get to the point where people are not entitled to defend themselves in their own home, then the law has totally lost its perspective."
Birmingham News Birmingham, Ala., 10/13/04
Your assignment for tonight is to compare and contrast that story and the statement by the local DA, to the story of Tony Martin. Kevin has some good commentary on the British "no self defense" issue over at The Smallest Minority. For another British view, check this out.
"......then the law has totally lost its perspective." That appears to be the case in jolly old England.
