Why did this guy get prison?

[BunnySlayer]

Judging by the newspaper account deadly force was not justified. At least not at the point in the encounter where it was used. This is why CCW holders should allways carry a less than lethal option such as pepperspray. The old adage " if your only tool is a hammer, all your problems begin to look like nails" applies here.

[JeepFreak]

I'm still a little bit concerned with the whole" deadly force can only be used when met with deadly force" idea. I'm 140 lbs, 5'10" and I'm weak as cake. To me, a single stiff blow from anyone over 170 lbs to the head would probably kill me instantly.

Should a sucker punch or a guy asking for a fist fight not be met with my deadly force? Or should I have to wait until I'm a half pint of blood away from death before I do my quick draw and put one in him?

This post made me LOL, but I'm pretty close to the same size and I CCW, so I'd like to hear some reactions to this.
Thanks,
Billy

[stix213]

Being taunted and having your shoulder grabbed doesn't sound like justification for shooting someone in the chest.

[ubet]

He was a FELON!

[skyscraper]

I'm still a little bit concerned with the whole" deadly force can only be used when met with deadly force" idea. I'm 140 lbs, 5'10" and I'm weak as cake. To me, a single stiff blow from anyone over 170 lbs to the head would probably kill me instantly.

Should a sucker punch or a guy asking for a fist fight not be met with my deadly force? Or should I have to wait until I'm a half pint of blood away from death before I do my quick draw and put one in him?

Not likely, and I dont think a jury of your peers would think so either.

[bill_k_lopez]

Yet another thread started by someone that makes me think too many members of this forum aren't mature enough to get CCWs....

[Mute]

I'm still a little bit concerned with the whole" deadly force can only be used when met with deadly force" idea. I'm 140 lbs, 5'10" and I'm weak as cake. To me, a single stiff blow from anyone over 170 lbs to the head would probably kill me instantly.

Should a sucker punch or a guy asking for a fist fight not be met with my deadly force? Or should I have to wait until I'm a half pint of blood away from death before I do my quick draw and put one in him?

If there is some kind of disparity of force than it can be justified. However, given the sketchy details above, we don't know and chances are this wasn't a case where one punch would have seriously injured or killed. People get into fights all the time, usually for stupid reasons. Rarely does someone get killed or beaten to a pulp. You had better be able to show that there was a genuine threat for your specific situation not just because someone at some point in time had been killed or seriously injured by a punch.

[Fot]

I'm still a little bit concerned with the whole" deadly force can only be used when met with deadly force" idea. I'm 140 lbs, 5'10" and I'm weak as cake. To me, a single stiff blow from anyone over 170 lbs to the head would probably kill me instantly.

Should a sucker punch or a guy asking for a fist fight not be met with my deadly force? Or should I have to wait until I'm a half pint of blood away from death before I do my quick draw and put one in him?

If you shot someone for fear of a fist fight I would consider you a murderer.

[CSDGuy]

The conviction for voluntary manslaughter is appropriate. Murder isn't appropriate. Basically, IMHO, because the shooter responded to what he perceived as an attack on himself, but did so using WAY inappropriate force, he committed voluntary manslaughter. It's voluntary because he intended to shoot the guy...

[Uriah02]

Gotta look at what words they exchanged, if the shooter tried to deescalate the situation or if he threatened right back. Since he was a prohibitted person that adds a whole lot less understanding from the jury. Shouldn't the records be available to the public?

[iareConfusE]

If you shot someone for fear of a fist fight I would consider you a murderer.

If I'm not a fighter, and I don't like to get into fist fights, should I just stand there and be his punching bag then? What other options would you suggest apart from "being a victim", because it sounds like that's what you would rather have me be?

[TurboChrisB]

But it's ok if you're a policeman?.....

If you shot someone for fear of a fist fight I would consider you a murderer.

[KylaGWolf]

This post made me LOL, but I'm pretty close to the same size and I CCW, so I'd like to hear some reactions to this.
Thanks,
Billy

OK you got one. I am a 6'1" female but I am also disabled. So in that situation I would have a reasonable fear of my life and deadly force would most likely be justified. If the person is the same height and healthy not so much. But I think that the fact that the person that did the shooting was a felon the rest is a moot point to begin with.

[tyrist]

But it's ok if you're a policeman?.....

ahh no

I was actually going to point out that an Officer couldn't get away with shooting somebody for a mere battery so why would he? Especially given the fact he was already a convicted felon carrying a gun.

People fight with the Police all the time; you cannot shoot them because they grab you, punch you, kick you, or throw you to the ground. Now if you start taking head blows and are getting choked out the situation has changed.

[Curley Red]

If I'm not a fighter, and I don't like to get into fist fights, should I just stand there and be his punching bag then? What other options would you suggest apart from "being a victim", because it sounds like that's what you would rather have me be?

You can always run away. Just because a person is beating on you with their fists does not mean you can use a gun to stop them.