As is typical with TV news coverage, these articles are poorly written and full of factual errors. For instance, the headline "Homicide or self-defense?" is wrong: it was both homicide and self defense.
http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0906/361080.html
Attempted Robber Killed in Parking Lot of a Little Rock Church
Thursday September 14, 2006 10:23pm Reporter: Kristin Fisher Posted By: Talisa Austin
Little Rock -
Choir practice at a Little Rock church comes to a deadly close Wednesday night. After an attempted robber is shot and killed in the church parking lot.
Christina what started as an attempted robbery turned into the city's 46th homicide, when a church member leaving choir practice shot the suspect in the parking lot.
The Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church is coping after one of its own members killed an attempted robber in the church parking lot.
(Pastor James Roberts, Seventh Day Adventist Church) “James the authorities are investigating the situation that happened and we're cooperating with them in every way that we can.�
Around 9:45 Wednesday night the attempted robber whose name has not been released approached a man and woman walking down Maple Street and demanded money. The man fled and the woman jumped into a black pick up truck belonging to a church member leaving choir practice.
(Terry Hastings, LR Police Department)�She came seeking his help to get away from a robber who was chasing her and then he was confronted with a weapon and so he has a right to protect himself.�
Fifty-four-year-old Samuel Mitchell fired four to five shots shooting the attempted robber in the head and chest. Mitchell did have a concealed hand gun permit and police are not filing any charges. But it will be up to the prosecuting attorney to determine if this is a case of self-defense.
(Roberts)�It's unfortunate that a life was taken…That's how I feel about it.�
The attempted robbers name has not been released because the next of kin has not yet been notified. We do know he had a criminal history including domestic battery, assault, and drug possession.
Second article:
http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0906/361110.html
Homicide or Self-Defense
Friday September 15, 2006 12:03am Reporter: Jessica Morkert Posted By: Talisa Austin
Attempted Robber Killed in Parking Lot of a Little Rock Church
Pulaski County -
Is it self-defense or murder? That's what prosecutors will decide after an attempted robbery ends with the assailant shot to death. Twenty-year-old Jason Jones was shot to death Wednesday night after he allegedly attempted to rob a man and woman walking down the street.
The man fled and the woman jumped into a truck belonging to Samuel Mitchell who had just left church. Mitchell had a gun in his car and shot Jones, after he reportedly pointed a gun at the driver side window where Mitchell was sitting.
There is justification under criminal law in using deadly physical force. If the other person is committing a violent felony or is using or about to use deadly physical force there are restrictions if you can avoid using deadly physical force by safely retrieving. The law asks that you safely retreat. In this case many feel the church goer was justified.
At Don’s weaponry and shooter's gallery in North Little Rock nearly every employee carries a concealed weapon.
(Don Hill, store owner)� I carry a weapon…Nobody's going to carjack me. Nobody's going to rob me, unless they have a fight.�
And all employees firmly believe in self-defense laws. In Pulaski County, it's legal to carry a gun as long as it's concealed. A concealed weapon's permit allows you to carry a weapon at all times with certain exceptions.
(Hill)�You can't carry it into a federal or state building. You can't carry it into a courthouse. You cannot drink while you have the weapon on you…�
Of course you can't own a gun without taking instructional classes. Qualifying on a range background checks and applying to the state. In Wednesday night's incident Samuel Mitchell had a valid concealed weapon's permit. But could he have fled? Don Hill says in this case he was perfectly justified.
(Hill)�He was perfectly legal in anyway shape or form. He was protecting his life and the other ladies life because this guy had the intent to kill.�
Every incident is evaluated on a case by case basis. The law also recognizes the sanctity of one's home and the area around the home as a justifiable homicide in certain cases.
