Easley, S.C., Homeowner Shoots Man Trying To Steal His Guns
BY Herschel Smith
7 years, 10 months ago
News from Pickens County, S.C.
EASLEY, S.C. (AP) — Pickens County deputies say a man killed this week in an Easley house was a burglar who was caught by the homeowner stealing several guns.
Chief Deputy Creed Hashe said in a news release that the homeowner fought with 27-year-old Justin Smith and managed to get a rifle from him and fired several shots at the intruder.
Deputies say Smith tried to leave, but collapsed and died on a deck.
Hashe says evidence collected agrees with the homeowner’s story. Prosecutors are reviewing the investigation to see if the homeowner should be charged or can legally claim self-defense.
I have just two comments about this. First of all, if a man is in your home, you have a right to treat him as a threat to your life. You don’t know otherwise, and it’s foolish and dangerous to pretend you do or to wait for validation of that assumption.
Second, the homeowner interacted with the police. As I’ve observed before, here are the steps. (1) I shot in self defense, my life was being threatened, and (2) any further communication will have to occur with my lawyer.
Never talk to the police.
On December 20, 2016 at 8:36 am, Josh said:
I would personally revise your advice to just skip to step 2.
The homeowner should come out OK, thanks to our revised (2006) Castle Doctrine. This may depend on how zealous the prosecution is, and minuteau such as where and how the intruder was shot.
On December 20, 2016 at 1:38 pm, Frank_in_Spokane said:
Duane’s talk should be watched at least regularly — say twice a year, at least.
Even when you agree with everything he says, without regular reminders and reinforcement, it is easy to fall into the mindset of, “Of course I’ll talk to the cops, because THIS case is OBVIOUS.” I found myself doing just that while reading this story.
On December 23, 2016 at 1:36 pm, Donk said:
Was it a glitch regarding my comment? SC law states that an individual in your home, uninvited is an intruder and you are justified in using deadly force – end of story, no qualifications under the law. But, SC becoming a bastion of New South thinking, one’s mileage may very should there not be extinuating circumstances.