Skeptic Tank
Trigger Warning
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2013
- Messages
- 3,121
Nope. They have clearly stated their were trying to curtail his movements in a public place, that is a crime whether they were armed with a lethal weapon or not. The fact they were undertaking a criminal act whilst armed with lethal weapons is what makes them “1st degree” murderers.
Thing is though, I think most jurors would be heavily influenced by finding out that the McMichaels had correctly identified the deceased as responsible for repeatedly trespassing and likely stealing from houses/cars on their street.
It seems like there is room for interpretation and argument in the citizens arrest and how it intersects with open carry, etc. - it's not so clear cut as to preclude arguments here, that's for sure.
I think if it can be demonstrated at trial that he wasn't just an innocent jogger in the neighborhood gunned down because these good ole' boys in the pickup truck didn't much care for the color of his skin *spittoon noise* but rather that he was a criminal fleeing justice when he was killed, I think the McMichaels may very well get the benefit of the doubt and some leeway about the particulars of citizens arrest.