Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

doxydad

(1,363 posts)
Fri Aug 8, 2014, 06:00 AM Aug 2014

Jury Rejects Self-Defense in Porch Shooting Death

A suburban Detroit man who said he fatally shot an unarmed woman on his porch out of fear prompted by early morning pounding on his doors faces up to life in prison after jurors rejected his claim of self-defense.

Theodore Wafer was convicted Thursday of second-degree murder after a nine-day trial that centered on whether the 55-year-old had a reasonable and honest belief that his safety was in peril.

"I don't know why this was brought to me," Wafer testified this week. "I didn't go out looking for this."

No one knows why Renisha McBride ended up at Wafer's Dearborn Heights home about 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 2, though prosecutors speculated the 19-year-old may have been seeking help. She had been out with a friend hours earlier before crashing her car in Detroit around 1 a.m. and an autopsy found she was extremely drunk.

Wafer opened the front door and shot McBride in the face, firing through a screen door while she stood on the other side. He first suggested to police that it was an accident but later admitted to intentionally pulling the trigger.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/detroit-area-porch-shooter-convicted-murder-24887014

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Jury Rejects Self-Defense in Porch Shooting Death (Original Post) doxydad Aug 2014 OP
So when does the Florida movie popcorn guy go on trial? Loudly Aug 2014 #1
Don't know. doxydad Aug 2014 #2
Generally you shouldn't pop people for just pounding on your door unarmed. ileus Aug 2014 #3
But, I have been constantly informed blueridge3210 Aug 2014 #4
Oh my; thread killer +1 n/t discntnt_irny_srcsm Aug 2014 #5
Oops. blueridge3210 Aug 2014 #6
Not as I see it. discntnt_irny_srcsm Aug 2014 #10
Firstly SYG is a get out of jail free - unless you're black intaglio Aug 2014 #7
"Firstly SYG is a get out of jail free - unless you're black" blueridge3210 Aug 2014 #9
This was not self defense Gothmog Aug 2014 #8
 

blueridge3210

(1,401 posts)
4. But, I have been constantly informed
Fri Aug 8, 2014, 07:54 AM
Aug 2014

that "stand your ground" and "castle doctrine" laws were automatic "get out of jail free" cards. That all one had to do was utter the magic words "I wuz skeered" and the police could not arrest and no charges could ever be filed. Seems someone was wrong. Go figure.

Sound verdict; no valid self-defense claim.

intaglio

(8,170 posts)
7. Firstly SYG is a get out of jail free - unless you're black
Fri Aug 8, 2014, 08:44 AM
Aug 2014

but the castle doctrine (the law in this case) is not. You have to demonstrate that your point of maximum reasonable retreat is about to be violated before you can claim justification under castle doctrine; your home is always such a point. This gun humper could not show any attempt at violation of his "castle" (despite the best efforts of his defence counsel) so he was found guilty.

 

blueridge3210

(1,401 posts)
9. "Firstly SYG is a get out of jail free - unless you're black"
Fri Aug 8, 2014, 09:00 AM
Aug 2014

You have some date to back that up? From what I've seen, "stand your ground" has been successfully used by both white and black persons; generally in proportion to their respective percentage of the population.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Gun Control & RKBA»Jury Rejects Self-Defense...