Re: GUNS: Shooting of Japanese student did happen

Harvey Newstrom (newstrom@newstaffinc.com)
Wed, 9 Jun 1999 15:53:18 -0400

Rob Harris Cen-IT <Rob.Harris@bournemouth.gov.uk> wrote:

> A guy was put away just recently for accidentally killing a
> burglar that entered his home at night. The homeowner hit the burglar out
> cold in a punch, and the burglar fell and hit his head.............

This sounds like an unfortunate accident. But what is the alternative? Allow people to kill other people if they say, "I didn't mean to hit him that hard?" Sure laws aren't perfect, but sometimes its because situations like the one described above get fuzzy. It is not a clear case of bleeding-heart liberals trying to protect the criminal, or ultra-violent conservatives trying to claim the right to kill people.

Should the killer be exempt from punishment if the death was an accident? Should the homeowner be allowed to kill people if they are breaking into their home? Can we really tell the intent of the perpetrator or the intent of the killer after the fact? Some cases like this really get fuzzy. Sometimes, blaming liberals or conservatives isn't a clear call.

--
Harvey Newstrom <mailto://newstrom@newstaffinc.com> <http://newstaffinc.com>
Author, Consultant, Engineer, Legal Hacker, Researcher, Scientist.