Bad Shoot - Man Faces Manslaughter Charges

[scbauer]

Might be lucky that it's only manslaughter.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/01/31/homeowner-charged-with-manslaughter-for-shooting-at-home-invasion-suspects.html

"Pettersen told the dispatcher he fired his handgun at a gray car that was leaving his property after an attempted burglary."

[Citadelgrad87]

It is....

[jcourson]

It is a terrible shoot; however, it is in Minnesota rather than California, so he may get off. I want to know if the other 2 teens that were involved in the break in attempt get charged with murder under the felony murder statute.

[PaIadin]

Again, the story should have been I chased the theives to the car. While attempting to get a description, I saw a glint of light that looked like a gun. I was in fear of my life and used the necessary force to stop a threat.




Personally, the guy could be guilty as charged. I would purposely vote not guilty and get a mistrial. Afterwards, I would take the guy out for a steak and offer to pay for markmamship classes.

He did not kill all the theives. That is the big issue in this story.

[Divernhunter]

He got at least one but should have taken out all of them.

Any snowflakes here need not respond. Just go to your safe place and cry for the criminals.

[racinjason233]

I am from the next town over and that is blue earth county. He will walk after a bit of time in a cage with real criminals! It is very rural and full of CCW holders. The grand jury will not indict for "saving" his home from felons! If he shot through a door because someone's car broke down and needed to borrow a phone then yes grand jury would indict.

[Calguns77]

It is a terrible shoot; however, it is in Minnesota rather than California, so he may get off. I want to know if the other 2 teens that were involved in the break in attempt get charged with murder under the felony murder statute.

Doubt it, Minnesota is pretty liberal these days but even if it wasn't i don't see how he could convince anyone he was in immediate danger and lethal force was necessary.

[MC06]

He got at least one but should have taken out all of them.

Any snowflakes here need not respond. Just go to your safe place and cry for the criminals.

Agreed. I like to think this guys actions possibly saved lives from future home invasions.

[dwalker]

Doubt it, Minnesota is pretty liberal these days but even if it wasn't i don't see how he could convince anyone he was in immediate danger and lethal force was necessary.

All the homeowner knew was three people had climbed onto his deck in the middle of the night and had retreated to the their vehicle and he had a very reasonable fear they meant to come back when he went to sleep.

Not reasonable? He should have stayed awake all night in fear these three jackwads were going to break in as soon as he closed his eyes?

You do not get a free pass because your fleeing, the threat does not end because you turned tail and ran, because it is a reasonable assumption that your just going to double around and kill the HO in his sleep.

I mean, its not like they ADMITTED to casing the lace for a robbery and climbing onto his deck in the middle of the night or anything.

[ChuckDizzle]

Agreed. I like to think this guys actions possibly saved lives from future home invasions.

Not really, if they were invading his home they wouldn't have ran at the first sign of the structure being occupied.

Bad shoot is bad.

[IVC]

You do not get a free pass because your fleeing, the threat does not end because you turned tail and ran, because it is a reasonable assumption that your just going to double around and kill the HO in his sleep.

This is where "DO NOT TALK until you have an ATTORNEY" kicks in.

Could've/should've/would've becomes irrelevant once you actually say what you did. Worse, what you say will be used in the way the prosecution wants to twist it, not the way you meant it and what you meant can be quite different from what you said when pumped with adrenaline.

[ChuckDizzle]

This is where "DO NOT TALK until you have an ATTORNEY" kicks in.

Could've/should've/would've becomes irrelevant once you actually say what you did. Worse, what you say will be used in the way the prosecution wants to twist it, not the way you meant it and what you meant can be quite different from what you said when pumped with adrenaline.

What part is twisting it? The guy admitted he didn't even have his gun out until after they were fleeing.

[Calguns77]

All the homeowner knew was three people had climbed onto his deck in the middle of the night and had retreated to the their vehicle and he had a very reasonable fear they meant to come back when he went to sleep.

Not reasonable? He should have stayed awake all night in fear these three jackwads were going to break in as soon as he closed his eyes?

You do not get a free pass because your fleeing, the threat does not end because you turned tail and ran, because it is a reasonable assumption that your just going to double around and kill the HO in his sleep.

I mean, its not like they ADMITTED to casing the lace for a robbery and climbing onto his deck in the middle of the night or anything.

Not reasonable? He should have stayed awake all night in fear these three jackwads were going to break in as soon as he closed his eyes?

The possiblity of losing beauty sleep does not justify lethal force.

You do not get a free pass because your fleeing, the threat does not end because you turned tail and ran

There is no mention of them being armed or them firing at him. From what we know there was NO threat.

because it is a reasonable assumption that your just going to double around and kill the HO in his sleep

There is nothing reasonable about about this fear. It is bare fear and will get you locked up for murder.

[IVC]

What part is twisting it? The guy admitted he didn't even have his gun out until after they were fleeing.

If it was as black and white as you suggest he would be charged with 2nd degree murder, not manslaughter.

A manslaughter charge on the tail-end of self defense is something an opportunistic DA would have to *want* to push. Self incrimination is the easiest way to get that wish granted.

[MarikinaMan]

"I'm in shock. My memory is fuzzy. I would like to call my attorney!"