The “Right” To Defend Your Home?

[Guest Jamster26]

Just been watching Sky News. A burglar in Manchester, killed by a home owner, for trespassing. What I want to know is, do we have the right to defend our own homes, by “any means” necessary?

 

I think you have a right to defend your own home. However, I don’t think that right extends upon towards killing the intruder. We still need to act with some human decency, I think.

 

Although, having said that. I don’t think he should suffer any consequences for killing the burglar. Once you cross the line, the intent is there. I don’t blame the guy one bit.

 

What Do You Think?

[Paul 584]

I have no sympathy for the burgler, but I dont know what happened in the house to decide how I feel about it. Did the burglers threaten him? Were they armed?

 

End of the day you have the right to use reasonable force, anything more than that and you have to suffer the consequences of your actions. Like that farmer who shot a fleeing burgler a few years back (Tony Martin?), he used excessive force and deserved to be inprisoned.

[Guest Jamster26]

Ah, well. Here's the article. :)

 

Vincent Cooke, who police questioned on suspicion of murder, was freed from custody earlier.

 

The 39-year-old was arrested after an alleged burglar was found with fatal stab wounds at the house in Bramhall, Stockport, on Saturday night.

 

Two men allegedly forced their way into the property and threatened Mr Cooke before one was stabbed.

 

Mr Cooke had been home alone when the alleged raid began but his wife Karen and their 12-year-old son returned as it was under way.

 

They managed to escape unharmed.

 

Officers and paramedics were called to the scene shortly before 8pm and tried to help the injured man, but he later died.

 

Floral tributes, referring to him as "Ray" and "Raymondo", have been left outside the large detached house by relatives.

 

Sky sources have named him as Raymond Jacob.

 

One tribute read: "Love you son. Going to miss you more than anything."

 

A second suspected intruder, aged 33, who fled in a white Citroen van, was later apprehended. The van has also been recovered.

 

A police cordon was set up as forensic teams came in and out of the property, which is in an affluent area.

 

A gold Maserati luxury sports car, a silver Range Rover - both with personalised registration plates - and a large white Transit van bearing the logo of courier firm Transco Express Logistics Ltd were parked on the driveway.

 

One neighbour said: "I'm staggered. I can't imagine something like that happening here. If you have children though, you do anything to protect your home."

 

Another neighbour, who also did not wish to be named, said: "Whoever tried to break into the house deserved all they got."

 

Credit: http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16072483

[Paul 584]

So assuming thats accurate they broke in and threatened force, so he was in his right to defend himself. if he only stabbed the guy a couple of times then it could be self defence, if we're talking a load then its beyond reasonable force. But I'd be on his side with it I think.

[Guest]

Wasn't that farmer then released and that's how the law changed?

[Paul 584]

He was released as he served his sentance, and the law wasnt changed as far as I know...

[Maxximus 353]

I would defend the my home within the body of the law. In Colorado that means getting away with shooting an intruder in the face.

[Guest Phil]

I haven't read that report Jamster posted but, according to the news, the other intruder was arrested for 'aggravated burglary' which, according to my dad, who is an ex-copper, means he was carrying a weapon.

 

If that's the case then the burglar got what he deserved. You should be able to efend yourself, especially if you're confronted by two people with weapons.

[Guest John Hancock]

In New York, we have the castle doctrine, which means that we can kill people if we think they might try to kill us, and we're on our own property. If you're not on your property, the first thing you're supposed to do legally is try and run away, but, if it's your own home, you aren't legally obliged to hide or run away, and are fully untitled to walk down your stairs into the hall way duel-wielding magnums in your pyjamas.

 

http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy141/vagitoe/Flag2.gif

Edited September 19, 2011 by John Hancock

[Guest Phil]

so Mr Average Joe can become cold blooded killer, but you can't hear the word shit on tv? God, I love America!

[Guest John Hancock]

Not wanting to blow any minds here, but you can say "shit" on American T.V.

[Paul 584]

WOAH!

[Guest John Hancock]

SEE! This is exactly what I didn't want, this poor young man's mind has been blown!

[Guest Gemsi]

He didn't have much of a mind to begin with, so it's no big loss..........

 

I think if someone was threatening my home and children, I would want to kill them. Burglars should get no rights, especially if they are going in armed. If they end up dead, then tough cookies.

[Maxximus 353]

In New York, we have the castle doctrine[...]

 

Also known as the 'Frank' Castle doctrine, or as I like to call it, The Punisher Law.

 

God, I love America!

 

Me too! *cocks .40 cal, one handed racks the 12 gauge and sips on a bacon milkshake*

 

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9440/02baconmilkshake.jpg

 

That, folks, is what 'Merica is all about!

Edited September 19, 2011 by Maxximus

[etz 78]

I would defend the my home within the body of the law. In Colorado that means getting away with shooting an intruder in the face.

 

Yeah, but Colorado is in a sensible country when it comes to home defence. In the UK, that kid from Home Alone would be doing 5 years in a young offenders institute.

 

I'm with Gem, a burglars rights stop the minute he enters your home unwanted.

Edited September 19, 2011 by etz

[DC 536]

I haven't read that report Jamster posted but, according to the news, the other intruder was arrested for 'aggravated burglary' which, according to my dad, who is an ex-copper, means he was carrying a weapon.

 

If that's the case then the burglar got what he deserved. You should be able to efend yourself, especially if you're confronted by two people with weapons.

It's not just that he was defending himself, his wife and son came home during the burglary, so he probably feared for them as well.

 

The way I see it is that if the guy who died wasn't a burglar, he'd still be alive right now.

so Mr Average Joe can become cold blooded killer, but you can't hear the word shit on tv? God, I love America!

In that situation, you wouldn't be a cold-blooded killer.

Yeah, but Colorado is in a sensible country

Colorado isn't a country. :lol

[Guest John Hancock]

"Colorado is in a sensible country"

 

Your pedantic pistols have misfired this time cowboy.

[Maxximus 353]

[video=youtube;XE7NBqybtoQ]

[DC 536]

"Colorado is in a sensible country"

 

Your pedantic pistols have misfired this time cowboy.

Yeah, I f*cked up royally on that one. :lol

[Guest Trash]

This happened literally round the corner from my house.

 

In my view, you break into someone else's home, especially armed, then you deal with the consequences. You can't moan when you threaten somebody's life in their own home where their children live and end up getting stabbed yourself.

 

Its the people leaving flowers for the scumbag who died outside the house that sickens me. If I was the man who lived there, I'd make a bonfire out of all the tributes and burn the lot of them shouting GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH!

If I knew the man who died, I'd be more ashamed than anything.

The man had a wife and kid, he had every right to protect himself and his family by whichever means necessary. Who says the 2 burglars wouldn't have knifed him and then his family? If they are low enough to rob a house then I wouldn't put it past either of them. The more scumbags that are off our streets, the safer the world is for us. I really hope the man in question walks, if not there'll be an outcry.

 

To put it into perspective, if I was sitting down on a Saturday night and I had a knock on my door by 2 no-good scallies with knives, I'd murder the f*** out of both of them for interrupting X-Factor. I hope he burns in hell, if he'd have walked 2 minutes round the corner, it might have been my house he'd have knocked on and I guarantee they'd have both suffered the same fate.