04-03-2007, 12:11 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-03-2007, 12:13 AM by Mithrandir.)
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/03/30/texas.ma...r.ap/index.html
This story has been all over several forums I frequent and was curious about the Lounge's feelings about it.
Cliff Notes: Husband comes home, sees wife and another guy fooling around in a truck, wife cries rape falsely, and husband kills fleeing lover.
I think it's "fairly" obvious that the wife should be charged since she intentionally created a false situation which led to the death of an innocent man, but I am mildly startled by the number of people happy that the husband got off with no penalties. The husband discharged a firearm in a residential area, endangering the residents of their neighborhood and his own wife, and couldn't be bothered to take the instant required to assess the situation before he started blasting away. I understand that legally an individual's emotional and mental state can lead to diminished responsibility (obviously if you think your wife is being raped, you're certainly in a heightened emotional state), but it just seems as though this ruling comes much, much to close to promoting the ideology of "shoot first, ask questions later."
I am a proponent of the right to bear arms but I strongly feel that with the right to own and use a gun for self-defense and protection comes the responsibility to use the weapon like you're not an 8-year old. If the alleged rapist gets out of the truck and charges you with a knife, by all means defend yourself. If the alleged rapist tries to flee the scene in his truck try to get a clear look at his face, get the license plate/make/model, make sure your wife is okay, and call the police for #$%&s sake.
This story has been all over several forums I frequent and was curious about the Lounge's feelings about it.
Cliff Notes: Husband comes home, sees wife and another guy fooling around in a truck, wife cries rape falsely, and husband kills fleeing lover.
I think it's "fairly" obvious that the wife should be charged since she intentionally created a false situation which led to the death of an innocent man, but I am mildly startled by the number of people happy that the husband got off with no penalties. The husband discharged a firearm in a residential area, endangering the residents of their neighborhood and his own wife, and couldn't be bothered to take the instant required to assess the situation before he started blasting away. I understand that legally an individual's emotional and mental state can lead to diminished responsibility (obviously if you think your wife is being raped, you're certainly in a heightened emotional state), but it just seems as though this ruling comes much, much to close to promoting the ideology of "shoot first, ask questions later."
I am a proponent of the right to bear arms but I strongly feel that with the right to own and use a gun for self-defense and protection comes the responsibility to use the weapon like you're not an 8-year old. If the alleged rapist gets out of the truck and charges you with a knife, by all means defend yourself. If the alleged rapist tries to flee the scene in his truck try to get a clear look at his face, get the license plate/make/model, make sure your wife is okay, and call the police for #$%&s sake.
--Mith
I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
Jack London
I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
Jack London