Murder or self defence -
There's a lot of play right now in the UK media because a couple of thugs were threatening a man of 78 in his kitchen and he got the screwdriver off one of them and stabbed him with it. Both guys fled, and the stabbed one collapsed and died in the street.The 78 year old was arrested, and kept in jail overnight. He was threatened with being charged with murder, but the community rose in an uproar, even the touchy-feely media took his side, a fund was instantly started to help him with his legal fees, and he is home again.
The thug's family are saying loudly that he didn't deserve to die (he has a history of breaking and entering, intimidation, robbery, etc, and has done jail time) and floral tributes are now being left for him outside the OAP's home.
So far as I am concerned, if you can't take the heat, don't go into the kitchen. Live by violence, die by violence. If you ask for trouble, expect trouble, even from a nice soft target like an OAP who doesn't know the rules and didn't back down. Yes, yes, terribly unfair that he fought back, how DARE he. But you started it!!
It seems so far as the authorities are concerned, if you are being threatened by thugs 40 years younger than yourself waving a rudimentary weapon in your face, you should meekly play along, hope not to become a statistic, and let them have whatever they want. The authorities will sort justice out later ...
I may vanish without warning, I'm supposed to be teaching but my 1.30 class cancelled. I have to be on standby in case new pupils are suddenly slotted in but until then
Comments (32)
We had a similar case about 10 years ago, which eventually brought about a change in law.
Now homeowners are allowed to use "reasonable force" to defend themselves, their families and their property.
If you use that weapon instead on them, to protect yourself, I think that is reasonable.
To be honest, I would really hate to be put in that situation.
But yeah, I bet the authorities left him and his wife to clean up. Sheesh.
Bullies. Love 'em.
The winner takes all.
If someone is up to no good, it's their own fault if someone uses reasonable force against them.
If someone is up to no good it probably won't stop them. I was surprised how many people in Ireland have an alarm compared to Germany (the only people I know having an alarm in Germany are the ones with a villa whereas in Ireland they have them across the board.)
I agree with your feelings IF the truth is as you presented it. However, since neither of us were there in
that kitchen at the time, lets await all the details to come out before making judgements,
In this cornah, we have Battling Billy, who is competing to take everything Old Joe has ever managed to accumulate for his old age!
In this cornah, we have Old Joe, who despite his 40 year handicap has the motivation of fighting for everything he owns, let's give him a cheer, folks!
When does the next spaceship leave the planet? And where can I buy tickets?
is he the same man that had a sick poorly wife upstairs in bed, I believe he acted afraid of how they may of frightened or hurt her... The man is a hero
I also feel when one is a career criminal with a history of doing this stuff, it's because he wants to. Easy pickings. It's no longer the needy but the greedy.
Grrr
From what I've read (which isn't a huge amount, because the media is slipping off facts and into emotions) this happened in a particular area which is getting a lot worse.
I did see a comment he was terrified for his wife so that could be the same story. However now the media are spinning it so there will be less truth in every new update
Murder : a premeditated act causing death
Manslaughter : causing death unintentionally in the spur of the moment or by an unintentional act resulting in a fatality
What was the outcome of the trial, can you say? I've never been called for jury duty (although as a writer of whodunits I'm probably one of the few who would be quite pleased to be called) and although a murder trial must be the most intense form, apparently they go on for weeks or even months completely disrupting work commitments and being a pardon-the-pun bit of a trial.
The accused got into a fight Then went home got a knife hid it in his sleeve ...
Went back called the guy out stabbed him in the back
Then went home washed the knife and his clothes and went to bed
Clear case of a premeditated act
It is of interest to note the deceased in this case was not a child, but a 38-year old man and his accomplice was 28 years old. And the deceased was also a former traveller. I'm glad the authorities came to their senses in this case. I worry about you guys over there sometimes.