Anybody here a landlord ? (don't worry about the dog,it's the tenant..)

[Torog]

Fatal Shooting in Fla. Ruled Self-Defense
July 20, 2005 10:56 PM EDT
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The fatal shooting of two men by a tenant they were trying to evict was ruled self-defense because one of them was brandishing a gun and a chain, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

State Attorney Harry Shorstein ruled that the July 9 deaths were justifiable homicides. "That's my decision, based on the facts that I have," said Shorstein, who reviewed the case last week.

He said the victims - cousins John McPherson, 21, and Calvin Threadcraft, 26 - had a handgun and chain when they entered the home and the tenant, Melvin Wilcox, was threatened.

"The law is relatively simple," Shorstein said. "If someone enters your home and you are in fear of imminent death or great bodily harm, you can use deadly force."

The victims were shot along with landlord Pamela Batie, McPherson's sister. She survived.

Shorstein's decision didn't sit well with Leonard McPherson, father of Batie and John McPherson, and uncle to Threadcraft.

"That ain't right. He killed two people," McPherson told The Florida Times-Union on Tuesday. "That's cold-blooded murder."

Wilcox, 26, was questioned by police but not arrested.

Torog Reviewed by Torog on 07-21-2005. Anybody here a landlord ? (don't worry about the dog,it's the tenant..) Fatal Shooting in Fla. Ruled Self-Defense July 20, 2005 10:56 PM EDT JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The fatal shooting of two men by a tenant they were trying to evict was ruled self-defense because one of them was brandishing a gun and a chain, a prosecutor said Wednesday. State Attorney Harry Shorstein ruled that the July 9 deaths were justifiable homicides. "That's my decision, based on the facts that I have," said Shorstein, who reviewed the case last week. He said the victims - cousins John Rating: 5

[bhallg2k]

I'm beginning to think that Florida never gets anything right.

[XTC]

Well, I'm for Pro Gun Control, but I agree with the tenant's actions. If someone came into my place one had a chain and another had a gun, sorry they're might be two dead more in my home if I had a firearm.

[Button Basher]

Right on. They had a chain and a gun. SOMEONE was going to get murdered, it might have well have been the criminals.

[NowhereMan]

even if my state didnt have a shoot the fucker law
i would shoot anyone coming in my house to do me harm
no if ands or butts about it
sorry but i am firm believer in the right to defend me and mine
peace

[amsterdam]

i feel sorry for the person who dosent own a weapon in a situation like that.

[stoner spirit]

The only things I have in my house are swords, daggers, knives, axes, a mace, a retractable baton, sais, nunchucku, and a broken crossbow. Besides, they wouldn't give a blind man a gun anyways, so I'm screwed there. At least I have some weapons though.