Sunday, November 22, 2009



FL: Homeowner Kills Suspected Burglar On Property:: "A Lake County homeowner caught a burglar breaking into his trailer so he shot and killed the crook. Eyewitness News learned the homeowner won't face any charges. He says he caught the crook on his property on Spring Hill Avenue in Sorrento. The homeowner was protecting more than just his home, officers say, he was protecting himself. The homeowner knew that somebody had broken into his trailer because an alarm that he had installed went off. Lake County sheriff's detectives say Biel shot and killed a burglar, 23-year-old Brett Lee Canada, who used bolt cutters to break into his property. “Detectives have recently arrested him in the area for similar type crimes," Sergeant John Herrell said. Back in August Canada was arrested for stealing lawn-mowing equipment and that's what deputies say he was after this time. Biel has a trailer full of lawn equipment for his business. The homeowner told investigators that Canada lunged at him so he opened fire. Detectives say the story checks out."


Michigan Homeowner Shoots and Kills Home Intruder: "The latest act of violence in the city of Flint came with a twist as police say a homeowner fought back and killed his would-be-robber. Detectives are now looking for at least one other suspect who they say is still on the run. The unusual and brazen home invasion occurred around 10:00 am Saturday in the 300 block of West Bishop. The man’s uncle indentified him as Preston Flowers. Flint Police Lieutenant T.P. Johnson says Flowers and at least one other armed man broke into the Flint home in broad daylight. At the time, the homeowner was chatting on the phone with a family member. Police say he confronted the intruders and wrestled away a handgun and according to Johnson, shot and killed one of his would-be robbers. The other took off... Police are investigating whether the shooting was justified as Flowers' family is torn between grief and guilt."


Man wins appeal in gun test-case: "Since 1996, the federal government has been prosecuting individuals for possessing a firearm if they previously were convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses, but a Janesville man’s case has changed that. A federal appeals court in Chicago on Wednesday reversed Steven Skoien’s conviction, finding the law he was prosecuted under might violate Skoien’s constitutional right to bear arms. The government needs to prove that its interest in preventing domestic violence is related to the ban on firearms possession imposed on those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, according to the opinion. Skoien, 30, was on probation in 2007, a year after being convicted in Rock County Court of misdemeanor domestic battery. Skoien’s probation agent learned his client had obtained a deer hunting license, and a search of Skoien’s truck recovered a 12 gauge shotgun. Skoien admitted the gun was his father’s and that he had used it that morning to shoot a deer. Skoien was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and pleaded guilty on the condition he could appeal the conviction on Second Amendment grounds. His two-year prison sentence began in July. Writing for a three-judge panel, Judge Diane Sykes said the firearms prohibition is too broad... Sykes noted that the Second Amendment protects a law-abiding individual’s right to possess firearms for self-defense and hunting. Laws that infringe on constitutional rights must do so in the least restrictive manner, which is lacking in the broad, permanent ban Skoien was prosecuted under, according to the opinion."


Appeals court rejects teacher handgun request: "The Oregon Court of Appeals has rejected a request by a Medford teacher to carry a handgun at school. Shirley Katz had argued the Medford School District lacked authority to set a policy banning employees from carrying firearms. Katz has a concealed weapons permit and claimed she needed her 9 mm semiautomatic pistol for protection from her ex-husband. But the appeals court upheld a Jackson County trial judge who ruled the Medford School District had the authority to prohibit guns on campus. District officials said they were pleased with the decision because it affected work rules intended to ensure staff and school safety. The attorney for Katz said she was disappointed with the ruling. He said an appeal was under consideration."

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