Killing in self-defense

Killing in self-defense
Public domain illustration image

Shooting and killing a person in his sleep can't possibly be deemed as self-defense? Or can it?

It most definitely can, as the case below from Texas - where a girl is cleared by a jury - clearly indicates. The girl was 12 at the time and shot her own father to death while he was sleeping.

I can remember a similar case here in Norway where a youth shot his abusive father to death with a shotgun, while the father was asleep. He was freed by the court on the grounds of self-defense, just like the girl here.

One of the commentators in the case here also gives a reference to another similar case of someone being cleared of murder.

Jurors Monday decided a teenage Katy girl accused of fatally shooting her father was not guilty of murder because she acted in self-defense. Mark A. Nelson, 38, died in April 2009. His daughter, who was 12 at the time, was accused of shooting Nelson in the back of his head as he lay in bed.

I'm positive you will have some viewpoints about this, right? Is it totally wrong to free someone who have shot and killed a sleeping person, or may it indeed be cases where this will be justifiable self-defense in your opinion.

Media and self-defense

Women's self-defense
Illustration - from Flickr.com

Meg Stone has a precise and very true observation in jamaicaplaingazette.com about how the media seems to ignore - or at least appears to underplay - a very important fact about women and self-defense actions.

Stone has the same experience as yours truly - it is proven countless of times, and beyond a shadow of a doubt how women are capable of defending themselves in situations where the attacker is male and very likely much stronger. In fact there are several thousands (and growing) cases being documented: Women Can.

By failing to focus on the facts of the matter, it may be that men as well as women may think that your only viable option is to get help from the authorities/police, a male companion, or begin carrying a gun for protection. Now, there is probably nothing wrong with being able to trust in outside help, as long as you don't take away the individual's trust in herself and her own abilities before anything else!

A sad but rather obvious fact is that you will often times be alone, and that you will need to stand your own ground. Any help will many times come in after the fact - or in addition to your own self-defense maneuvers.

A closer reading of the article reveals that this woman successfully defended herself by using her voice and shining a flashlight in the would-be assailant's face. In response to her actions, the assailant fled, but not before she got a physical description, which she gave to the police. Most importantly, this woman's bravery and fast thinking kept her from sustaining serious injuries. Unfortunately, this woman's successful self-protective actions are nowhere to be found in the Gazette's headline or the opening paragraph of the article.

In the above article, the author makes a reference to the National Crime Victimization Survey. It's undoubtedly a good idea to read it and make up your own mind.

In any case, the author makes a very good point in my opinion, and you should definitely give it a read. I'm also curious as to what your perspective is on this issue. Feel free to post below, re-tweet or post to Facebook!

Gun to a knife fight

Illustration image - From Flickr.com

Really hard to say what went through the mind of the gun-toting maniac from this article at blog.al.com... Trying to prove a point that you can't stop bullets with a knife?

"Florida -- A 67-year-old Pensacola man is charged with murder for allegedly gunning down a 53-year-old man who was trying to show how he could defend himself using a knife, according to Escambia County deputies."

"Escambia deputies responded to the shooting at about 10:51 p.m. Thursday night at the Moorings Apartments (...). When they arrived, they found Alvin Merriwell Lewis Jr. dead inside the suspect's apartment. Lewis had succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds."

So, apart from repeating the old adage of not bringing a knife to a gun fight, one could also add: Don't demonstrate knife self-defense moves to a lunatic with a gun.

Anything to add? Feel free to do so in the comments field below.

A rough week

Ohio -- An 80-year-old man have had a rough week. First, he was beaten during a home break-in and then later shot while trying to learn about guns.

When intruders broke into his home, the Columbus area resident was tied up and pistol-whipped. Four days later was shot in the hand during a self-defense lesson.

A fight for life

It is worth repeating; someone who believe they are fighting for their life has a tremendous amount of strength. The same goes if you decide you will not be taken down.
Is it always possible to fight back, or is it always wise to fight back? Of course not. Still, stories like this one here is a reminder of our possibilities in what may be called a worst case scenario.

Story
Canada.com reported about a 53-year-old convicted robber and rapist who attempted to rob a convenience store in Windsor, Ontario. Using a fake gun, plus a rather odd disguise made up of wig, heart-shaped shades, cowboy hat and fake beard - he lost what was referred to as a violent struggle with the 34-year-old diminutive female clerk.

A superior court judge told how the clerk thought she was going to be raped and perhaps killed. Lacerated and bloody, she believed she was fighting for both her sexual integrity and her life, the court heard.

The case prosecutor said the woman "fought valiantly" against the man. He struck the woman and held her down. But she fought back, scratching and biting the assailant, leaving "telltale marks" that police saw when he was later arrested.

The attempted robbery and rape failed because the female clerk got the better of a much larger, heavier and stronger man, the judge said.

The man walked into the store in September 2005 and demanded the keys to the place from the clerk, so that he could lock them both inside. The court was told how the man, in addition to his disguise and weapon, had a bag filled with duct tape, a knife and fake bomb.

A police report explained how the woman struggled the fake gun away from the attacker and actually hit him with it.The man fled the store after the fight, leaving his bag behind.

Another "stick-up"

North Carolina -- A 62-year-old Shelby man told police two males attempted to rob him using a BB gun, according to police reports.

The intended victim said he was shot in the leg and forehead, but still managed to fend off the would-be robbers with a stick, according to shelbystar.com.

'Latching out'

You have probably heard the acronym RTFM (which stands for: Read The F****** Manual!)?
Well, maybe this story should give an indication as to why we men (because most of us will not RTFM) need to get over the "I'll figure it out myself and prove I'm a man - then - when everything else fails, I might read the manual" syndrome.

This story shows a very smart young woman. A series of precise observations and actions taking place. Read it!

Story:
Florida -- Abcnews.go.com reports about a woman who was forced, at gunpoint, into the trunk of her own car in Dayonta Beach on February 12 .

Saying to herself she had to get out before he got on the highway, the 26-year-old woman remembered the emergency latch in her trunk. She was able to jump when the carjacker slowed down, escaping with only a small scratch.

The woman said she remembered the latch because she had read the entire manual when she bought the car.

From bad to worse

I can't really argue too much about this man following the culprits after being robbed at gunpoint. I might actually have done the same thing myself if I was in the position to do so.

However, pulling up alongside two armed - and now probably desperate - men, may not be your smartest move.

Personally, I would probably not follow someone in the first place unless I had some way of communicating with police. And my only reason for following someone would be to notify authorities.

Think about this:
After a robbery you're most likely to have strong adrenal reactions, and you most probably won't function too well (unless you're trained to do so/used to it). You are probably very angry, and this also doesn't exactly put you in a better "combat mode" either. And then add to it that you are dealing with (often times) armed and desperate people under the influence of drugs. A criminal does not want to get caught, remember...

And risking your life for some "valuables" ... things? Then that would really have to be some very special items of immense personal and sentimental value!

Story:
Virginia -- Police said a 49-year-old man was shot following a robbery in the Lorton area Sunday, according to nbc4.com.

The victim had just parked his SUV when he was approached by two masked men with guns, according to police. The victim reportedly gave the men his wallet and other items, and they got into a car and fled.

The robbery victim got into his car in order to follow the culprits. When he pulled up next to the suspect vehicle near an intersection, one of the culprits allegedly shot him in the upper body.
The man drove home and called police. He was later was hospitalized.

The weapons myth

Hop over to my Squidoo women's self defense lense and have a look at the latest article.
It's about things to think about if you consider utilising a weapon (such as kubotan, spray, keys, taser, knife or gun).
I'd love to get your feedback on this topic!

Tables turned

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the young man here - at least in some states and countries - could end up being charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
Bass ackwords? You bet. You have to be kind to the criminals! You know ... a hug never harmed anyone.

Story from presstelegram.com:
An 18-year-old employee was slicing chicken in the back of a restaurant in Long Beach, California when he heard a commotion at the register.

There, he witnessed his 41-year-old boss struggling with a robber. A 33-year-old suspect had allegedly entered the eatery at about 5 p.m. and demanded money from the cashier behind the counter, a police spokeswoman said.

The robber was wearing a big jacket with a hood and holding his hand up as if he were carrying a gun. When the owner had trouble opening the register, the suspect jumped over the counter and was struggling with the owner, police said.

When the 18-year-old employee came out, he acted instantly to help his boss, stabbing the suspect in the lower abdomen with a kitchen knife, police said.

The robber was transported to a local hospital and is expected to live. Officers found that he was not carrying any weapons.

I wonder...

Inrich.com reports about a 31-year-old former Sheriff's deputy and US Marine.

While out on bond, he broke into his wife's house October 30, 2006 and assaulted her at gunpoint while their infant daughter was there.

Authorities say the man, armed and wearing a mask, attempted to subdue his wife with duct tape. She fought back and broke free, at which point the gun fired and the man was struck in the right bicep.

Maybe, just maybe, this should indicate that being a man - and even having more than average training and preparation - proves no guarantee that a woman can not outsmart or outfight you...
If you need another 3500 examples (now soon 4000), you can read more about it here.

A 'fishy' robbery

Massachusetts -- A holdup man picked the wrong target Thursday night when he walked into a package store in Methuen.

"When I opened the door I see the guy stand right there, gun pointed at my daughter," said Vannarithros Ross, who had just returned to his family-run package store after running an errand.

"And my daughter told me in my language that we got robbed... He didn't know I was behind him, so just grabbed him real tight so by his reaction I'm afraid he gonna pull the trigger on my kid."

Ross says his son grabbed a bottle of fish sauce and hit the gunman on the head as Ross swung him to the floor. "My son, he just reacting. He keep hitting on the head until I told him, stop it because he was gonna kill the guy."

Ross says police came within two or three minutes. "That's very fast. Amazing. Very amazing."

The gun the suspect flashed during the robbery turned out to be a BB gun but Ross and his family didn't know that. Police planned to charge the gunman with robbery when he gets out of the hospital.

Source

Muffin-fighter

In Finland they have a MMA (mixed martial arts) type event called Finn-fight. I suppose then this is the equivalent food fight variety? :-)

Story:
Connecticut -- "Muffin-Thrower;" That's the nickname given to a woman after thwarting a robber with her baked goods.

On July 15, the woman was standing behind the counter at the half-century-old Polish deli in New Haven, ringing up packages of Kielbasa, when a man came in the store.

He was dressed as nicely as the rest of the Sunday morning visitors, so he didn't call attention to himself. As other customers perused the selection of imported Polish, Russian and Hungarian treats, the man inquired if the deli made subs.

"Yes," came the reply. He stood behind a woman in line at the counter. "All of a sudden, he lurched and grabbed the lady by the neck," recounted the shop owner. "I thought he was hugging her. I thought, gee that was rough," she said. She quickly realized he was being more than rough.

"This is a stickup!" he said. "Give me all your money, or I'm gonna shoot her!"

The shop owner quickly took in the situation. "I didn't see any gun." She saw him reach his hand towards a bag to retrieve something. "I didn't believe he had a gun, and I figured I was faster than him," she said, explaining her next, risky move.

She looked towards the baseball bat she keeps leaned against the counter. "I couldn't get it fast enough." But "I had all the muffins here," she said, pointing to a tray of a dozen wrapped muffins and Danishes, sitting on the counter.

"You son of a bitch!" she screamed, flipping the tray, launching the muffins at the man.
From the force of the woman's yelling, and the rain of pastries, the robber got disoriented. He ran away.

A "toy"?

You may have heard about the British woman who was shot and killed by police recently. She was waving a "toy" gun around ...

Story:
They're so realistic, the U.S. military uses them for simulation training, but they're all the rage during adolescent play.

Toy guns that are marketed to "make you feel like you're 'packing' the real thing," airsoft guns are also fast becoming a problem - actually mistaken for the real thing - and have many fearing big problems could follow these small-pellet shooting guns.

Airsoft guns are BB-style toy guns that use plastic pellets actually much larger - so less likely to break skin upon impact - than regular BBs. They're sold, over the Internet and in retail stores in some states, in many models, including pistols and rifles, that look just like the real thing.

An alarming concern is when the toy guns are mistaken for the real thing in dangerous situations.

Last month, a Framingham teenager fleeing police tossed an airsoft gun on the ground during chase, and police thought it was an actual weapon. No one was injured. Earlier this month, police nearly shot a teenage boy in California when they found him and two others playing with the toy guns on an elementary school playground, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

Source

Bad karaoke

As far as music goes, karaoke is probably the worst thing known to man. The only thing that comes close on the "shit-O-meter" is elevator and telephone on-hold music. Oh, boy!
Fair enough - I have heard karaoke singers that actually can sing. But the rest ... Mama mia!
Consequently, I can kind of understand the security dude her, even though killing the "artist" is taking your statement too far by any ones standard.
And just contemplate this line: "Deaths and violence are not uncommon in Philippine karaoke bars." Ouch! Must be lots of really bad singers over there. Or maybe some really aggressive music criticisers?

Story:
In a Philippine karaoke bar, a man has been shot dead by a security guard for singing out of tune.

The 29-year-old man was halfway through his song on Tuesday night in a bar in San Mateo town, east of Manila, when a 43-year-old security guard yelled that he was out of tune.

When the performer ignored his comments and continued singing, the guard pulled out his revolver and shot him in the chest. The victim died instantly according to police.

Source

Flower power

An armed robber proved no match for a 71-year-old woman's water hose Tuesday afternoon. The Wilmington woman scared off a would-be robber by spraying him with a water hose and screaming for help in the backyard of her Forest Hills home.

Police said the woman was unloading flowers from her van in front of her home when she noticed a man walking near her yard bend down and get something out of his shoe.

The woman took her flowers to her backyard and began watering them and when she looked up she saw a man in her backyard pointing a gun at her. After seeing the gun, she turned the hose on the man and began to scream, police said. The man ran away.

Source

Bummer!

Be very afraid - they're actually walking amongst us ... :-)

Story:
West Virginia -- When a man tried to rob a convenience store in Inwood using a small lighter shaped like a gun, his method of disguise reportedly became a source of amusement for the cashier.

"He entered the store wearing a pair of women's pajama shorts over his face," a West Virginia State Police spokesman said, adding "I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried."

At first the cashier thought it was a joke. Then the would-be robber showed the cashier his fake weapon. She was unsure if it was an actual gun or a cigarette lighter in the figure of a gun, which the store used to sell.

The cashier refused to comply with the attempted robber's demands and he fled the scene. The man was arrested several minutes later with another man while attempting to steal a tire off of a vehicle.

Source

'Lettuce rejoice'

Sir, I take my hat off to you!

Story:
UK -- A pensioner of 82 was shopping when a raider walked into the village store in Speldhurst, Kent, and pointed the gun at the postmistress.

The man demanded money - but the senior citizen belted him in the face with an iceberg lettuce. A second hit persuaded the robber to run off.

The World War II Speldhurst veteran said: "The best form of defence is attack - so I did. I clobbered him twice."

Source

'Yankee-do'

Don't mess with granny! Don't they teach kids this lesson today?

Story:
The Yankees have honored a robber-bashing Bronxville grandmother of eight yesterday in a home plate ceremony.

The 68-year-old woman foiled an April 26 robbery at a sandwich shoppe in Tuckahoe where she worked by smacking the robber with a 1961 Yankees miniature bat.

With her 16-inch weapon in hand, she waved to the stadium crowd when she was introduced yesterday, then got a surprise when Derek Jeter came out of the dugout and presented her with a real bat signed by the team and gave her a hug.

During the attempted robbery last month, the man told the woman he had a gun, and demanded she empty the cash register. The lifelong Yankees fan said she threw the money on the floor, then as he was bending over to pick it up, grabbed her commemorative bat and hit him in the back of the head twice. He dropped the money and ran out of the store.

Source

One tought customer

I'm not sure if this was the smartest thing to do. Still, I must say I'm impressed by this senior citizen!

Story:
A suspect, who was in his 20's, walked into a shop in North Nashville on Sunday night. Police say he held up the clerk, then turned the gun on a customer.

That customer, a 77 year old man, wrestled the gun away from the suspect and shot the suspect in the leg. The elderly man was not hurt.

Source