Man who shot at car thief is sentenced for death of neighbor he hit instead

[Mormolyce]

Can't blame the man for shooting at a robber, but shooting in a crowded neighborhood was stupid.

Where the hell else are you going to have an opportunity to shoot at "robbers"? It's going to be in the vicinity of your home (as in this case) or out in public.

How about people don't shoot at criminals like this is a game of cops and robbers and let the police do their job?

[Saverem]

He should definitely be punished for that grave error, but I don't think he deserves a death penalty over it. This was involuntary manslaughter, as in, it was his negligence that caused someone to die. It's not like it was first or second degree murder.

[zhero]

Where the hell else are you going to have an opportunity to shoot at "robbers"? It's going to be in the vicinity of your home (as in this case) or out in public.

How about people don't shoot at criminals like this is a game of cops and robbers and let the police do their job?

letting the police do their job the car can be wrecked, scrapped, and the tools never seen again, but hey, maybe they might recover what is left of his truck...

[Polyxo]

you should move to North Korea then if you want to do some hard labor or have it included in prison sentences.

this guy deserves some years for murder, although I wish he hit the thief instead in the back so the robber might end up crippled.

While 20 years 'hard labor' is on the harsher end, 25 years is the maximum sentence for manslaughter, at least in New York State. The guy got a rather light sentence, especially considering he could've very easily been convicted of attempted murder as well.

[Will]

With over 3,800 deaths from accidental shootings a year

God, it never ceases to amaze me how backwards America is at times. For a first-world country at any rate. Get some damn proper firearms training for crying out loud. Clamp down on this ridiculous flexibility of firearm use. If you're not going to see sense and start phasing the blasted things out, at least make sure people have to be trained to use the silly things. Just how many times must you lot burn your hands before you learn to keep it out of the flames?

It's one of the most important damn rules. You confirm your target. You don't shoot first and ask questions later. This isn't a video game or movie!

[Moozart]

I am confused, the title says one thing and the story says something else

"Judge Timothy Ashcraft settled on a high-end sentence of eight years, six months in prison for Panton"

[Poopymonster]

letting the police do their job the car can be wrecked, scrapped, and the tools never seen again, but hey, maybe they might recover what is left of his truck...

For his trigger happy adventures, he gets that PLUS jail time.

BONUS ROUND: He has to live, everyday. knowing his stupidity killed a person. Someone he probably knew.

That's all the time we have today on "Who shouldn't have a firearm", I'm your host Poopymonster.

Remember, have your child spayed or neutered. Tune in next week, as we shoot special on location in Florida, for the Irma aftermath.

#thoughtsandprayers because screaming into the void is easier than doing something about it.

[Kasierith]

He should definitely be punished for that grave error, but I don't think he deserves a death penalty over it. This was involuntary manslaughter, as in, it was his negligence that caused someone to die. It's not like it was first or second degree murder.

He discharged his firearm with the express intention of gravely harming or killing another human being, and another human being was killed. His express predetermined and deliberate action fulfilled its purpose. This is how common law views this situation, and how the case carried forward.

[Socialhealer]

Remember the rich kid with affluenza that killed 4 people, and got probation, only went to prison later for breaking probation to go to a drinking party. His mother still got far more prison time than him for flying his stupid ass to mexico to flee the police.

-edit-

Here he is!

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.3055905

yup and a poor black kid would of got life in prison. ahhh justice, just another thing you can buy.

[Mormolyce]

God, it never ceases to amaze me how backwards America is at times. For a first-world country at any rate. Get some damn proper firearms training for crying out loud. Clamp down on this ridiculous flexibility of firearm use. If you're not going to see sense and start phasing the blasted things out, at least make sure people have to be trained to use the silly things. Just how many times must you lot burn your hands before you learn to keep it out of the flames?

It's one of the most important damn rules. You confirm your target. You don't shoot first and ask questions later. This isn't a video game or movie!

This year Trump reversed regulations on the mentally ill buying guns.

The ideological obsession with guns is beyond reckless. That's the real problem.

- - - Updated - - -

letting the police do their job the car can be wrecked, scrapped, and the tools never seen again, but hey, maybe they might recover what is left of his truck...

And did firing his gun at this guy stop him?

Sure stopped his neighbour.

[Bathory]

Good. Everyone thinks a gun will solve all problems. Who needs to learn how to be responsible with it!?

[Milchshake]

This is not only completely in line with American law, but firearm negligence is held as one of the classics in demonstrating what negligence is in law school. It's tragic, but in the legal world it's basically considered bread and butter.

Was it just a thought experiment on negligence, or did they have many prior cases to use as examples? Just trying news searches make it seem like criminal or civil lawsuits on firearm negligence are a rare occurrence. Moreso when compared to cases involving vehicles or even accidents on commercial properties.

If law school did cite cases, how many were before 1980? Since Wayne LaPierre took control of the NRA it feels like there's been quite a change in public and government perception of the liabilities of firearms.

[kail]

He should definitely be punished for that grave error, but I don't think he deserves a death penalty over it. This was involuntary manslaughter, as in, it was his negligence that caused someone to die. It's not like it was first or second degree murder.

Title is confusing at first, but he's not getting the death penalty.

[MrLachyG]

car thief was running away when the dude fired. that is hardly in self defence. seems very cut and dry to me.

[kasuke06]

God, it never ceases to amaze me how backwards America is at times. For a first-world country at any rate. Get some damn proper firearms training for crying out loud. Clamp down on this ridiculous flexibility of firearm use. If you're not going to see sense and start phasing the blasted things out, at least make sure people have to be trained to use the silly things. Just how many times must you lot burn your hands before you learn to keep it out of the flames?

It's one of the most important damn rules. You confirm your target. You don't shoot first and ask questions later. This isn't a video game or movie!

Well unfortunately if you try to teach people how to guns, the left gets their collective panties in a wad.

[Garnier Fructis]

I am confused, the title says one thing and the story says something else

"Judge Timothy Ashcraft settled on a high-end sentence of eight years, six months in prison for Panton"

'Death' in the title refers to the neighbor that was killed, not the shooter.

[Deleted]

Good;
being reckless with guns is one of those things noone should ever be... and this shows what happens if you just randomly fire a gun without thinking.

Now let's just wait for the sentences following those nutjobs firing their guns at the friggin' hurricane and accidently hitting others.

[Lens Hunter]

Shouldnt be shooting unless someone's life is in danger.

[Deleted]

Ok.... and? Are you for this, against it, etc? What's it got to do with politics?

Just because this is the offtopic forum doesnt mean every single post has to have to do with murican poleteks.

[Matimyri]

Well unfortunately if you try to teach people how to guns, the left gets their collective panties in a wad.

... No. The left is the group advocating for smarter gun control policies. The right is the group that starts screaming bloody murder whenever it is suggested that people should be taught that a gun isn't a damn toy.