PA: Man killed by shot from air rifle

[seamusTX]

In Spring Township, Pennsylvania (middle of nowhere), today, a man had a confrontation with a homeowner. The homeowner fatally shot the man with an air rifle. The homeowner was not arrested.

http://www.fox43.com/news/wpmt-amnews-p ... 1209.story" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[seamusTX]

No one has been charged in this shooting, but the owner of the property where the shooting occurred has been arrested after emergency personnel found marijuana plants growing there.

http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnew ... xml&coll=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[seamusTX]

The shooter has now been charged with homicide and other offenses. He has been in jail without bail for almost two weeks.

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2009 ... 173036.txt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[TheArmedFarmer]

I wonder if he would have been charged with homicide if he didn't have politically incorrect gardening habits.

[Carrots]

I wonder if he would have been charged with homicide if he didn't have politically incorrect gardening habits.

My thoughts exactly.

[seamusTX]

I doubt the marijuana possession charge has anything to do with the homicide charge.

In the first place, criminal charges that are not directly related to a particular offense are not allowable as evidence in the prosecution. The prosecutor would be setting himself up for a mistrial or reversal on appeal for doing something like that.

I think the grand jury found probable cause that the defendant intentionally caused a man's death without justification. The news stories don't give any details, but I'm guessing the deceased was not armed and defendant could not credibly claim that the deceased attacked him.

- Jim

[seamusTX]

Found a more detailed story. Victim owed money to the defendant.

[Defendant] said [victim] later showed up at his house, threw the money on the ground, forced the door open and entered the house, then fell down some stairs, records state.

[Defendant] said he shot [victim] as [victim] got to his feet, records state. [victim] died from a single pellet wound to his chest that penetrated to his lung, according to the Perry County coroner's office.

District Attorney Charles Chenot said he and state police do not believe [defendant] was acting in self-defense.

http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnew ... xml&coll=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In Texas and some other states, forcing one's way into an occupied residence is a good basis for use of deadly force -- but not in all.

- Jim

[DoubleJ]

Yeah, I'm sure the Victim magically fell down some stairs...

[seamusTX]

Guilty of manslaughter.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index. ... _in_p.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.abc27.com/Global/story.asp?S=13040333" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnew ... xml&coll=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's pretty quick for a felony conviction. Usually they take about two years.

- Jim

[mctowalot]

I'm curious as to what caliber the air rifle is and type of ammo used.

There are air rifles that "fire" a .50 caliber pellet at more than 500 fps generating close to 200 ft. pounds up to 70 yards.

There are some .22 cal pellet rifles that hit 1000 fps.

I've got a .177 cal air rifle that can inflict threat stopping shots on oranges when using hollow points. The exit wound is larger than a quarter.

[seamusTX]

If you look up the names of the parties involved and search the web for them, you may come up with more information. There was some coverage of the trial that I ignored.

Air rifles are generally underrated in the U.S. In countries like the U.K. where it is between difficult and impossible for ordinary people to obtain firearms, air rifles are quite popular.

- Jim