Wednesday, June 15, 2011

SC: Man set free after crooked prosecution and 8 years in jail: "A 39-year-old Upstate man accused of shooting his sister’s boyfriend 14 times in 2001 has been set free because of problems with the trial process. The shooting happened at Jack Earl Parker's home on Ebenezer Church Road in Travelers Rest in October 2001. Parker’s defense alleges that Stewart showed up with a knife and a car full of people. Deputies said Parker fired a 9 mm gun at Stewart 14 times, killing him. The night before he was killed, Stewart was accused of beating Parker's sister. She was in the house at time of shooting. In 2003, a judge granted Parker a mistrial after defense attorneys said prosecutors gave them a crime scene video with graphic images blocked out but showed jurors a clear version.


Court reverses ex-NYC officer’s conviction in deadly off-duty shooting he said was self-defense: "An appeals court says a former New York City police officer shouldn’t have been convicted of manslaughter for his off-duty shooting of an unarmed, drunken driver after a car crash. The state Supreme Court’s Appellate Division voided Rafael Lora’s conviction and dismissed the case Tuesday. Lora was off duty when he heard a minivan crash into a parked car outside his Bronx home and went to investigate in May 2007. He said minivan driver Fermin Arzu ignored his commands and began driving away, dragging him along. Lora said he shot Arzu five times out of fear for his life. The court found Lora didn’t act recklessly, as the manslaughter charge required."


Wis. Senate votes to legalize concealed carry: "The Wisconsin Senate has passed a bill that would allow concealed weapons in most public places. All 19 Senate Republicans voted for the bill Tuesday, along with six Democrats. Eight other Democrats opposed it. The bill would make Wisconsin the 49th state to legalize carrying hidden guns. Those who want to carry the weapons would have to obtain a permit. Republican Gov. Scott Walker backs the bill. Before it would get to him, it must also pass the Assembly. That could happen later in the week. The bill allows concealed weapons except in places such as police stations, courthouses and Milwaukee's Summerfest music festival."


Grandpa carries a gun: "An old grandpa once said, 'Son, there comes a time in every man’s life when he stops bustin’ knuckles and starts bustin’ knee caps. Usually it’s when he becomes too old to take an ass whoopin’.' He goes on to say the following: 'I don’t carry a gun to kill people. I carry a gun to keep from being killed. I don’t carry a gun to scare people. I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.'"

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