Armed Attorneys Richard Hayes and Leslie Cross discuss the “Ding Dong Defense” case out of Houston’s Clinton Park neighborhood.
What happens when a prank goes too far and ends in tragedy? We’ll break down the case, review the Probable Cause Affidavit, and analyze it under the five pillars of self-defense law.
Key topics:
What is innocence in a self-defense claim?
Why is imminence so critical?
When does proportionality apply?
Could avoidance have changed the outcome?
How is reasonableness judged in court?
What are the penalties? (Murder: 5–99 years or life. Capital Murder: life without parole, or death.)
How dangerous is Clinton Park, Houston? [On-screen crime map provided.]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aBKEB6 ... Pw&index=9
Ding Dong Defense? 11-year-old fatally shot after ‘ding dong ditching’ in Houston
Ding Dong Defense? 11-year-old fatally shot after ‘ding dong ditching’ in Houston
Chance favors the prepared. Making good people helpless doesn't make bad people harmless.
There is no safety in denial. When seconds count the Police are only minutes away.
Sometimes I really wish a lawyer would chime in and clear things up. Do we have any lawyers on this forum?
There is no safety in denial. When seconds count the Police are only minutes away.
Sometimes I really wish a lawyer would chime in and clear things up. Do we have any lawyers on this forum?
Re: Ding Dong Defense? 11-year-old fatally shot after ‘ding dong ditching’ in Houston
We had another name for that a half century ago and we got our tail ends tanned. What was a prank is now a crime. Very sad.
Re: Ding Dong Defense? 11-year-old fatally shot after ‘ding dong ditching’ in Houston
This is a different version of the prank that homeowners may face.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwH8iUI ... iQ&index=4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwH8iUI ... iQ&index=4
Chance favors the prepared. Making good people helpless doesn't make bad people harmless.
There is no safety in denial. When seconds count the Police are only minutes away.
Sometimes I really wish a lawyer would chime in and clear things up. Do we have any lawyers on this forum?
There is no safety in denial. When seconds count the Police are only minutes away.
Sometimes I really wish a lawyer would chime in and clear things up. Do we have any lawyers on this forum?
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Re: Ding Dong Defense? 11-year-old fatally shot after ‘ding dong ditching’ in Houston
I partook in that recreational activity as well back then and yes, it was known by a different name. We only knocked and ran. Some were known to light little brown sacks with a surprise inside on fire. Little hellions we were but it never occurred to us to escalate. We were dumb but not stupid.carlson1 wrote: Thu Sep 04, 2025 11:32 pm We had another name for that a half century ago and we got our tail ends tanned. What was a prank is now a crime. Very sad.