Tony Martin and stuff

[Whaleboy]

OK, so I dont really care about the case, but guy walks into mans house, man shoots intruder dead, gets done for murder/manslaughter.

IMO if I rob someones house, I should expect what is coming to me, whether that is a 12 gauge shell or not is another matter.

I think Martin went over the top, but if he was being attacked, or threat of attack, not just being burgled, then he should have had every right to kill in defence of his home. Perhaps in that case, he should have given him a bit of a kicking.

If we regard private property as a valid concept, then we must also afford ourselves the same right to defend it as with our own bodies, and our perogative to decide on the use of force according to its value to us. Of course, one cannot go mental with no justification, which is when the law steps in.

IMO justice is a completely different matter (the above only deals with defence), in this latter case, objectivity and non-punitive measures are preferable imo. No, really I'm not scitzophrenic!

[MikeH]

Most of the Americans will probably say, of course he should shoot him. The law and attitude is totally different there though.

If he was really defending himself then that would be OK but I say chasing after unarmed 16 year old kid until you can corner them and shoot them in the back is wrong wherever they are.

[Whaleboy]

True, thats why I said it was over the top. The kid should have been incapacitated and then arrested. If Martin was being attacked, then he had more reason to fire.

[Az]

I think what has to be the law in such case is that he should say "stop or I'll shoot" and then shoot, if the burglar doesn't surrender. Here, you have to be threatened with deadly force to be allowed to shoot the burglar. Personally, I am not sure what's the right way with a large degree of certainty.

[Solly]

[Whaleboy]

???

[Az]

He's amazed that he agrees with you.

[Solly]

This thread appeared about six hours after I changed my sig.

[Whaleboy]

Oh god!! One moment I'm a libertarian, the next, I'll be an ultraconservative!!

[Al B. Sure!]

did the man die on the matin's property? i heard something about how in some US states, if the criminal makes it to the door, you can get tried for murder.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

"If any person attempts to break open a house in the night-time, and shall be killed in such attempt, the slayer shall be acquitted and discharged."

That would be a real drag if you were a fireman kicking down the door. Or if it was your own house you were breaking into.

[Whaleboy]

did the man die on the matin's property?

Not entirely sure, but I assume that when being shot in the back by a shotgun, you dont live for very long.

[Gibsie]

I think he was as justified in killing him as he would have been if he had seen the burglar in town one day and shot him.

[Zulu Elephant]

Martin didnt kill to protect himself, he killed to punish someone for breaking into his house. Private citizens are not allowed and should not be allowed to deal out their own punishment for crimes committed against them.

[Imran Siddiqui]

This Martin fellow deserves to be put in for murder, if all the posts here are correct. If the burgler sees you with a gun and is running away, you shouldn't be able to shoot him. You are in no physical danger at all.

Now, if he's running away with something he stole from you, I'm not sure what I'd say in that case. I guess he should be able to shoot to incapacitate him (like in the leg or something), but not to kill.