Man says he killed city worker over yard rule 'harassment'
Source: Associated Press
Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press
Updated 5:31 pm CDT, Friday, August 10, 2018
Firefighters work at the scene of a structure fire in West Valley City, Utah, on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018.
A West Valley City code enforcement officer was fatally shot nearby. (Ravell Call/The Deseret News via AP)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) A Utah man who shot and killed a city worker, torched her truck and set his neighbor's house on fire told witnesses that he did it after "years of harassment" over laws requiring cleanup of trash and weeds outside his home, police said Friday.
Kevin Wayne Billings, 64, said the code enforcement officer in suburban Salt Lake City "got what she deserved," police said in jail documents.
Jill Robinson had dealt with Billings before, but it was a routine call and code enforcement officers don't aim to harass residents, officials said.
He poured gasoline on Robinson's city pickup truck, then set it ablaze Thursday, police said. He also started a fire on his neighbor's deck that spread to their home and destroyed it, killing six dogs and two cats, police said.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Man-held-on-murder-arson-charges-after-13146999.php
Kevin Wayne Billings
Jill Robinson
AZ8theist
(5,493 posts)Trump voter??
DoBotherMe
(2,340 posts)AZ8theist
(5,493 posts)mpcamb
(2,878 posts)Let's say it concisely and accurately.
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)I hope he gets the DP, or life without parole in solitary.
SCantiGOP
(13,873 posts)If not you shouldnt be advocating the death penalty. Its too easy to let others do your dirty work for you.
Cold War Spook
(1,279 posts)I have 10 rescued dogs, 3 rescued cats, 2 rescued frogs ( actually they aren't really rescued they just moved in) and 1 rescued hen.
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)But it would be impolite to accept if the family of the victim wasnt given the same opportunity to put this rabid dog down.
BreweryYardRat
(6,556 posts)He's a murderous, spiteful idiot. Flay him, cut the blood eagle on him, and watch him die slowly while he tries to breath through two collapsed lungs.
(If the guy hadn't decided to murder his neighbor's pets just for the hell of it, I might not be calling for the death penalty, but given the circumstances, my conscience isn't twitching at all.)
SCantiGOP
(13,873 posts)Please point out the difference in what he did and what you are proposing?
heaven05
(18,124 posts)hard....put him in gen. pop. He's stupid enough to piss the wrong person off.
obamanut2012
(26,142 posts)"Because he didn't like how she talked to him."
THAT should be the header.
truthisfreedom
(23,155 posts)Sancho
(9,070 posts)Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article216447245.html#storylink=cpy
This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because its clear that they should never have had a gun.
1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learners license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.
Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a drivers license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.
renate
(13,776 posts)A woman just doing her job died... a veterinarian who cared for elderly animals lost everything... and innocent animals died horribly. All because this POS can't control his temper. I'm so tired of people feeling entitled and aggrieved when they don't get their way.
Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)
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