To be filed under "someone has to be charged with something" is the example of Kenneth Therell and Billy Williamson.
In their home near Albuquerque, they fought and Williamson shot Therell, who then took the gun and killed Williamson, his attacker. OK, so maybe it isn't quite that cut and dried, but once someone shoots me, the pain and adrenaline would likely cloud my judgment and make me empty the gun into my attacker. After all, it was a .22, not a more effective caliber, and one shot with a .22 is unlikely to stop the attack. This all would be considered by reasonable people.
For the "authorities" to preemptively crow that Therell will be charged with "murder" when released from the hospital is arrogant, ridiculous, and unjust. It illustrates once again that government can not be trusted with the "justice system" since they have no clue how to wield it.
This is one of those cases where the true facts will probably never be known. In such a case the actions of the person defending themselves from an armed attack should not be second-guessed.
Will this let guilty people get away with murder? Yes, just like the current "charge anyone who survives" strategy does. It is better for an infinite number of guilty people to escape justice than for one innocent person to be punished by the State. Guilty people are likely to attack again, and when the State stays out of the way, there is a very good chance they will not survive their predations for long. The State makes it dangerous to protect yourself from attackers, and in doing so, makes it safe to be a thug. This is the opposite of "civilized" and "justice".
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And of course, the truly sad part here is that the only legitimate "legislature" that exists will likely never contemplate this case.
If the facts here are even remotely close to what you've related, there is no way a jury will ever convict on a murder charge. That's why the prosecution will offer a "deal" for a far lesser charge-my guess including a fully suspended sentence-that the person charged will have essentially no choice but to accept. It's a usurpation and perversion of a system that was once elegant in its simplicity and even occasional justice.
That's not to say there wasn't some culpability here-a man's dead, and it does not sound as though it was pure self-defense-but the murder charge here is nothing but a cat's paw to dodge a jury trial, denying both the victim and the accused anything that resembles justice.
This sounds like an interesting case, I hope you keep us posted on developments in it, Kent.
Kent,
Your state ment about the "justice system" is wrong on one count. We no longer have a justice system in this country. What we have is a out of control legal system. A system where everyone looses except the lawyers.
Kent,
I am astonished that you would make such a harsh rational about my uncle's murder when the only facts you know about this case are what you have read int he media.
I on the other hand know quite a bit more about this case than you do and let me tell you that the facts that aren't available do point towards murder. This was not self defence. Therrell lied. Point blank. He got drunk, shot himself in the arm, and then called 911 and told the police a lie. Even I being thousands of miles away can see this.. The truth will come out in the trial.
It discusts me that you speak of my uncle like he is the bad guy when he is no longer with us to defend himself. Billie Williamson was good man. He may not of been rich but his lack of fortune was made up with his heart of gold. May he rest in peace. The truth will come out in the end.
SemperWife- All I can go by are the "facts" as they were reported. If what you say is true, then even the cops lied about the incident. That wouldn't surprise me at all, but in that case, your *disgust* is misplaced.
Of course, I notice you were not present during the incident, either. People usually refuse to face the truth about people they like, although your uncle may have been just as you say. What would Therrell's relatives say about him? Would they have an opposing view to yours?
Truth very rarely makes an appearance in court, by design, but I understand your wishful thinking.
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