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Homeowner charged with shooting intruder

Josey1Josey1 Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
edited January 2002 in General Discussion
Folks, if you don't do it lawfully this is what happens.Marion County prosecutors charged a 60-year-old man who chased down and shot an intruder to death on Dec. 18. Michael Clements is charged with voluntary manslaughter and carrying a handgun without a license in the death of 30-year-old Leon Williams Jr.
Homeowner charged with shooting intruderSuspected robber was fatally wounded by 60-year-old man who chased him into the street. By Vic Ryckaertvic.ryckaert@indystar.comJanuary 03, 2001Marion County prosecutors charged a 60-year-old man who chased down and shot an intruder to death on Dec. 18. Michael Clements is charged with voluntary manslaughter and carrying a handgun without a license in the death of 30-year-old Leon Williams Jr. Williams broke into Clements' home in the 2800 block of North Boulevard Place, attacked him and stole money, police said. Williams ran from the home and Clements chased him, firing at least four shots, police said. Williams died on Dec. 22 from a gun shot wound to the back of the left leg.Voluntary manslaughter is a felony that carries a sentence of 20 to 50 years in prison. The handgun charge is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum of a year in prison. Prosecutor Scott Newman said Clements is not protected under the self defense law because the threat ended when the suspect left his house."I can understand his anger," Newman said. "But the law of self defense leaves me no choice."Clements said was watching TV, when Williams barged in through a door about 12:30 p.m. and yelled, "I want all your money!"Clements told police he knew Williams from his neighborhood, and that Williams grabbed a pair of scissors and severed an inside telephone line.Clements said Williams robbed him of $27 and put him in a choke hold. Clements managed to break free. Then, Clements' wife came in and startled the intruder, who fled.Police say Clements chased him east across Boulevard Place and between houses.Police said Clements, who suffers from a respiratory ailment, shot at the man once with a handgun. Williams got up and started running again, and Clements fired again. Police believe at least four shots were fired.The suspect collapsed in the front yard of a home in the 2800 block of North Capitol Avenue. Clements, meanwhile, returned home and came out of his house without incident less than an hour after the shooting was reported. http://www.starnews.com/article.php?chargedpm0103.html,news
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Comments

  • tidemantideman Member Posts: 1,099 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mr. Clements should have lived in Texas. We would have given him a medal!Tideman
    "Don't shoot to stop 'em, Shoot to Destroy 'em!"
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  • kimberkidkimberkid Member Posts: 8,858 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Now all the money saved on jail, a trial & prison for the criminal will be spent going after the victim ... somehow it doesn't seem right ...
    GUN CONTROL: If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!kimberkid@gunbroker.zzn.com
    If you really desire something, you'll find a way ?
    ? otherwise, you'll find an excuse.
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  • badboybobbadboybob Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It might be hard to get a jury to convict him. I sure would like to be on his jury.
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    While I understand the man's anger, he certainly didn't have any presence of mind. He knew the perp, his wife saw the perp, likely the perp left fingerprints all over the place, the victims were - relatively - unharmed and the take was $27? 911 time if there ever was one. Shoots four times at a fleeing felon & hits him once in the leg? In a residential neighborhood. Where did the other three bullets go? He deserves to be charged.
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  • Trader DaveTrader Dave Member Posts: 791 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Put me on that jury too. I would do just as was done in the child molestation case in Louisiana where the father shot the "scumbag" as police returned that thug for trial. He shot him in front of a camera crew who got it all on video. There was no doubt he did it, however the jury acquitted this father and everyone cheered. If placed on that jury I would have exonerated him too.Also in his defense, he could say that he feared for his life that the intruder might come back to kill him. A good defense lawyer could run with that I hope.If he has any money, the family of the thief will file a lawsuit.
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  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I completely disagree.The sole purpose in drawing your weapon is to defend yourself or others from a deadly threat. The time to pull your weapon is during the robbery not after. There is no amount of money worth taking someone's life over. There is a huge difference between defending one's self and retaliating out of rage. I hope none of his neighbors were hurt by his reckless action.
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I say, you already know who he is and where he lives. I wouldn't even report it. Sorry LEO's this one's mine! Give me a little time and I am sure his punishment will cure him of any future discrepancies. Oh,.... and he won't be willing to testify either.
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  • 22WRF22WRF Member Posts: 3,385
    edited November -1
    There is a right and a wrong way to do. This wasn't the right way.One does have to wonder about a fatal leg wound.
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  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Wonder no more... Femoral Artery.
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  • mudgemudge Member Posts: 4,225 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    One of the things the LEO's did, when I shot the guy that broke into my house, was to determine whether I could have escaped the attack. They determined that I had nowhere to go and it was ruled a "good" shooting.I know I've made comments on this BBabout what I'd do to a fleeing perp and they were, whether you believe it or not, in jest.NEVER, EVER use deadly force unless there isimmediate threat to life. NOT property. LIFE!Mudge the sagacious
    I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!
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  • simonbssimonbs Member Posts: 994 ✭
    edited November -1
    If I'm not mistaken, its the second or third largest artery in the body. The only two that come to mind that may be bigger are the aorta and the carotid (neck).
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  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    Seems to me (just trying to remember what the law is) that an LEO is allowed to shoot a fleeing, ARMED felon who has just committed a violent crime. If that is the case, then the homeowner was simply attempting to make a citizen's arrest and should be able to follow the same rules as the police.
    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    Cops shoot people every day under circumstances that would get regular folks locked up for 20 years.
    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
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  • CAndres35CAndres35 Member Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I HAVE TO GO WITH WRONG TIME. AS A SECURITY GAURD I AM TOLD I CANNOT SHOOT A FLEEING PERP EVEN IF I SAW HIM COMMIT A FELON. THERE MUST BE A THREAT OF LIFE OR SERIOUS * INJURY TO MYSELF ARE SOMEONE IN PROXIMITY. I UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTATION BUT IT IS NOT LEGAL FOR JOE CITISEN TO DO SO. POLICE CAN SHOOT IF A FELON HAS BEEN WITTNESED BUT NOT A SECURITY GAURD. THIS IS IN BOTH MISSOURIE AND ILLINOIS. CARL
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