Man shoots vandal slashing tires at night, arrested

[cb1000rider]

Agreed. I never understood why my chl instructor preached non stop that you can shoot people for petty crimes. He should have taught people to use some common sense after informing them of the law. Many had no clue about the world and their version is you can pull a wyatt earp at night on pretty much anybody.

Good change from yours to mine. Mine taught us not to get involved, but to observe, and reminded us if we had to shoot, on average the legal cost would be $50,000.

[philip964]

Looking at the docket, Mr. Saintlouis is scheduled for another court Monday Morning.. 0900 in court 174

Bond reduced to 10,000.00 from the original 30,000.00

So has he been in jail the whole time? Is there some advantage of lowering bail if your already out on bail?

[03Lightningrocks]

What difference does the value of the tires make? Although I recognize your point that tires are expensive and commercial tires (or RV tires) are REALLY expensive, is there a monetary level where shooting is/isn't justified?

Some people seem to have this misguided idea that someone's life is worth something simply because they are alive. IMO, it isn't. It is worth as much as that person makes it. IMO, the vandal, by slashing tires, decided his life is worth nothing. If the guy had stepped out and shot him dead, I would say Good for the driver. We are lucky that we still live in a prosperous nation where set backs like this don't usually destroy our livelihoods or lives. We can survive it and continue to prosper. What I don't like is people saying "well it was no big deal" and not wanting to prosecute the vandal to the fullest. IMO, a victim should be allowed a fairly wide lattitude in dealing with crimes against himself or his property (at the time of the crime).

I understand the legal system does not necessarily agree with my sentiment. Certainly, the idiot politicians in big city DA offices don't. I try to make sure my behavior accounts for that.

Shooting the person to make them stop slashing the tires is one thing. This is not the case here. Shooting a person to get even with them for slashing your tires is known as vigilante justice and is not acceptable nor the reason we have our CHL.

[mojo84]

What difference does the value of the tires make? Although I recognize your point that tires are expensive and commercial tires (or RV tires) are REALLY expensive, is there a monetary level where shooting is/isn't justified?

Some people seem to have this misguided idea that someone's life is worth something simply because they are alive. IMO, it isn't. It is worth as much as that person makes it. IMO, the vandal, by slashing tires, decided his life is worth nothing. If the guy had stepped out and shot him dead, I would say Good for the driver. We are lucky that we still live in a prosperous nation where set backs like this don't usually destroy our livelihoods or lives. We can survive it and continue to prosper. What I don't like is people saying "well it was no big deal" and not wanting to prosecute the vandal to the fullest. IMO, a victim should be allowed a fairly wide lattitude in dealing with crimes against himself or his property (at the time of the crime).

I understand the legal system does not necessarily agree with my sentiment. Certainly, the idiot politicians in big city DA offices don't. I try to make sure my behavior accounts for that.

Every life is worth something whether you agree or not. You are not God, judge, jury nor the executioner. When we start devaluing life and judging who should live or die on our own, we will become nothing more than a third world country no different than the once we are trying to deal with now to keep then from killing each other and us.

[K.Mooneyham]

I truly believe that if "the law" went after vandals and other miscreants with a bit more zeal, then less folks might feel the need to take matters in their own hands. This is NOT a bash on any LEO whatsoever, but merely my opinion on the entire justice system in our nation.

[cb1000rider]

Every life is worth something whether you agree or not. You are not God, judge, jury nor the executioner. When we start devaluing life and judging who should live or die on our own, we will become nothing more than a third world country no different than the once we are trying to deal with now to keep then from killing each other and us.

+1
Thanks, Mojo.

[TomsTXCHL]

Some people seem to have this misguided idea that someone's life is worth something simply because they are alive... I understand the legal system does not necessarily agree with my sentiment.

Nor do the vast majority of civilized human beings. Or maybe I should say, nor does any civilized human being.

I'm not sure where such a profoundly misguided attitude may have come from, though I suspect that movies, TV, and shoot-em-up video games of the last 20 years may be a factor. Or at least, they can't have helped by trivializing the precious nature of life.

[MechAg94]

That was a bit dark even for me. If you want to blame it on something, blame it on reading too much history. The violence of Modern video games and TV can't compare to military history and the realities of life in previous centuries. We live in a pretty safe and prosperous time. I will enjoy it today as I visit the gun show and get some good food.

[03Lightningrocks]

Some people seem to have this misguided idea that someone's life is worth something simply because they are alive... I understand the legal system does not necessarily agree with my sentiment.

Nor do the vast majority of civilized human beings. Or maybe I should say, nor does any civilized human being.

I'm not sure where such a profoundly misguided attitude may have come from, though I suspect that movies, TV, and shoot-em-up video games of the last 20 years may be a factor. Or at least, they can't have helped by trivializing the precious nature of life.

[03Lightningrocks]

While I feel it was a mistake to shoot the vandal after the fact. I don't understand how getting shot is a defense to prosecution for committing a felony. Unless there is no evidence the guy slashed the tires, therein lies the injustice of this story. IMHO, if he slashed the tires, there should be charges brought against him.

[Oldgringo]

While I feel it was a mistake to shoot the vandal after the fact. I don't understand how getting shot is a defense to prosecution for committing a felony. Unless there is no evidence the guy slashed the tires, therein lies the injustice of this story. IMHO, if he slashed the tires, there should be charges brought against him.

I think anybody committing such acts of vandalism should expect to get shot. What's the problem?

[WildBill]

While I feel it was a mistake to shoot the vandal after the fact. I don't understand how getting shot is a defense to prosecution for committing a felony. Unless there is no evidence the guy slashed the tires, therein lies the injustice of this story. IMHO, if he slashed the tires, there should be charges brought against him.

I think anybody committing such acts of vandalism should expect to get shot. What's the problem?

I think that most people think "it's only" [insert phrase here].

[MechAg94]

While I feel it was a mistake to shoot the vandal after the fact. I don't understand how getting shot is a defense to prosecution for committing a felony. Unless there is no evidence the guy slashed the tires, therein lies the injustice of this story. IMHO, if he slashed the tires, there should be charges brought against him.

That is pretty much what got me ticked off with this story. I don't want gun owners chasing people down and shooting them, but he should be prosecuted or somehow made to pay back the damages and lost income.

If he had shot the guy right at the truck, there would be room to call it a good shoot, but that isn't what happened. I don't know who the trucker is, but it is a shame he will likely see jail time while the POS vandal gets off free. I can only hope getting shot has taught him something.