TexasCHLforum.com

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

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.

This is a different version of the prank that homeowners may face.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwH8iUI ... iQ&index=4

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.

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.