The Agitator is the go-to place for reading about the developing story in Atlanta, where an innocent elderly woman was shot and killed by the police who were breaking down her door when she, thinking they were criminals, tried to defend herself.
No-knock warrants ought to be illegal except in the narrowest of circumstances, and in regular searches the "knock" ought to be a real knock, followed by a pause, not muffled shouts of "Police!" while the door is bashed in. It's not surprising that officers get shot at in these situations. Any idiot can yell "Police" while he tries to break into a house. We can start by applying strict liability to the police --- that should reduce the number of mistakes.
Anyway, I bring this up because yesterday in the Twin Cities area, an elderly man successfully defended himself against a home invader. Good for him. It's the occasional news item like this that keeps the rate of home invasions down in the United States.
A 73-year-old Coon Rapids man was at home alone Monday night when he heard the sounds of a break-in on the first floor and minutes later faced an intruder in his second-floor bedroom.
Gerald Whaley told police he fired one shot.
Police today are trying to identify the intruder who died of a single gunshot wound, in what appears to be a case of self-defense....
[Captain Robert] Aldrich [of the Anoka County Sheriff's Department] said it does not appear police will recommend charges against Whaley. But the final decision will be the Anoka County Attorney's, Aldrich said.
"You are in your own house," Aldrich said. "You have a right to defend yourself and protect yourself."
That's what I like to hear from law enforcement. Reality check: the first line of defense is the individual, whether the idea fits our political leanings or not.
She sure went out in a blaze of glory though, didn't she? She actually hit about three of them. Not that I'm happy they were injured, but she sure must have been a firebrand!
Posted by: Kelly | 29 November 2006 at 01:55 PM