Thursday, June 19, 2008

Texas Castle Doctrine...Just Make Sure It's YOUR Castle...


Grand Jury Considers Case Of Homeowner Who Killed Burglars


Grand Jury proceeding are always secret, but prosecutors seem to be taking even stricter precautions in the case of a man accused of shooting two men who burglarized a neighbor's home, KPRC Local 2 reported Thursday.

Prosecutors and jurors apparently used a back entrance to come and go from grand jury room. The district attorney has refused to comment on the case."It's gotten attention and it pushes all the emotional buttons in the criminal justices system," KPRC Local 2 legal analyst Brian Wice said. 'Illegal aliens, homeowners right to defend himself and the race card is involved. I can understand the need to bring down the cone of silence."

n November, Joe Horn shot Hernando Torres and Diego Ortiz, illegal immigrants from Columbia. Both had criminal records. More than $2,000 worth of cash and jewelry was found near their bodies.But questions about Horns motives for blasting them with a 12-gauge shotgun were raised after recordings of his 911 call were released.

The 911 operator repeatedly cautioned Horn not to confront the men as he watched them rifle his neighbor's house."Hurry up man. Catch these guys will you? I ain't going to let them go," Horn told the 911 operator.

"I'm going be honest with you, I'm not going to let them go. I'm not going to let them get away with this (expletive)."

Minutes later, the men were dead.

Horn's attorney said Horn was protecting himself and his neighborhood. It's up to the grand jury to decide if the shooting was self-defense or vigilante justice."

I was in error on two counts regarding Texas Castle Doctrine. I had thought that preventing a felony in progress was included, and was also unawares that the Texas legal system was employing the dreaded Cone of Silence.

And they looked like such nice boys.

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