Man Charged With Wounding Teen Caught Stealing His McCain Si

[Ace_Inthe_O]

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/28 ... cain-sign/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Are there any special laws regarding theft of political signs?

[pedalman]

Since it happened in Ohio, that would be hard to say.

I would be frustrated, too. But two teens fleeing in a van are not a threat. I don't think a jury would be sympathetic to this man.

Personally, I would not feel justified in drawing and firing my sidearm at them as they leave the scene, with a stolen political sign.

Is it just me? Or does it seem like the general public treats an election campaign like a football game? Dis my team, and you dis me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[flintknapper]

No charges were files against the boys.

Why not?

[bryang]

I would imagine this guy is going to be in a heap of trouble. I can't understand someone shooting at a couple of kids for stealing a political sign, however, wouldn't that be vandalism or thief? They admitted stealing signs, but they let them go.

-geo

[smokindragon]

Wow, now that is not a legal use of fire power in my books.

He clearly wasn't in harms way, or being threatened in order to open fire on that van.

Man, I don't think this is going to look good in Court for him.

I guess the only thing going his way is that he didn't kill any of them.

[nitrogen]

Someone steals your (McCain|Obama|Barr|Paul) sign. So you get another one, giving a bit more money to the campaign that you support.

My neighbor beat up my other neighbor when he stole his Obama sign. Both of the morons are in jail now, as it should be.

If you're so wrapped up in politics that you feel the need to do this, you need mental help.

[smokindragon]

If you're so wrapped up in politics that you feel the need to do this, you need mental help.

[aardwolf]

No charges were files against the boys.

Why not?

The fix is in.

[flintknapper]

No charges were files against the boys.

Why not?

The fix is in.

Ahhhhhhhh!

[NcongruNt]

Well...

Personally, i wouldn't shoot at kids taking a sign from my yard. This was also in Ohio. The article doesn't say what time of day it was, either.

All that said, were it Texas, and it DID happen at night, it still doesn't work. While criminal mischief at night qualifies for use of deadly force, this isn't what the guy did. Firing warning shots is not only negligent and stupid, but the fact that he fired them and hit the kids could have put him up for manslaughter or some sort of reckless deadly conduct. There's no self-defense or defense of property argument there, because he didn't intend to hit them. Very foolish on his part. The best reaction to the scenario would be to call the police regarding vandalism and/or theft, giving the description of the vehicle and plates if possible.

The charges seem appropriate, IMO.

I agree that the teens also should be charged with theft and vandalism (or whatever the equivalent is in Ohio), especially given that they confessed to multiple crimes.

[EDIT]: I just reread the article and realized that this happened in the afternoon. Dumb. Assuming that he will be convicted of the felony, he won't be able to own guns anymore, either. Talk about ruining your life for something petty.

[DoubleJ]

this is why you borrow AEA's Pitbull PaintBall Marker.

or you could use the hose! whatever happened to hosin' down ruffians???? man, I could go off on a tangent about that was the risk of TP'ing somebody's house. they caught you, and you got hosed. or if you lived in the country, it was salt rock outta a shottie. speaking of which, is that even real? AND where do you get it. do they make salt rounds in 45ACP? man, I'd pay a few dollars for some salt rounds in mah .45! that'd be good times.
"you datin' mah daughter?"
"yessir, I are."
"yew bring'er home one minute after 2130hrs.... well, I ain't gonn' kill ya, I'ma salt ya!"

I believe I digress....

[sivart-dod]

this is why you borrow AEA's Pitbull PaintBall Marker.

That would be fun, as long as you aim for the body or the van then it wouldnt be any trouble haha. But then again, that would be just asking for more trouble in the future.

This is the reason I do not have a political sign in my yard, or on my vehicle.