Harris Co. grand jury hears Joe Horn case

[my2sense]

Source: khou TV

A Harris County grand jury on Monday heard the case of a Pasadena man who shot and killed two suspected burglars.

Joe Horn, 61, claims the men were stealing things from his neighbor’s home last November when he opened fire. A 911 operator urged Horn to stay inside and wait for police, but he went outside anyway.

Horn’s attorney, Tom Lambright, said Monday that even though his client was within his legal rights, he regrets taking that action.

“A mistake from a legal standpoint, no. A mistake in terms of his life, yes. It has affected him terribly. And if he had it to do all over again, he would stay inside,” Lambright said.

Read more: http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou080616_tnt_joehorn.c262cd7.html

[Mike Daniels]

1. "It has affected him terribly"

Wow, how fascinating.

More to the point, I'd think the more relevant question is how it's affected the families of the men he killed.

I guess technically he was within the rights of the law. However, I can't say I'd be dissappointed if there was a way for the families to file civil charges against Mr. Horn.

[bluestateguy]

2. I think he is going to get off

I'm not saying I would have done the same thing, but I cannot justify making him into a criminal.

[my2sense]

3. He's a murderer

He shot two unarmed men in the back so he could play with his new gun. The 911 operator told him several times that someone was on the way and to stay in his home. I think he is a criminal just as the two thieves he shot.

[nels25]

4. Of course

lets give these poor thieves who he shot medals and a letter of apology to their heirs.

How long befor the lawsuits start??

After all they should be allowed to steal, right??

Brother?

[my2sense]

5. Stealing = Death Penalty?

I did not say the two dead thieves deserve anything. The point is that Horn had no right to take their lives unless he was firing upon them in self defense. I don't see how he would be justified in this shooting considering they were both shot in the BACK. Last I checked stealing was NOT a capital offense.

[surf]

7. You dont need to be shot at to defend yourself

All they have to do is charge, and youre in fear for your life. The robbers being armed means nothing. The main sticking point is he shot them in the back. That kinda kills any self defense claim he had.

[nels25]

9. I was unaware the 2 individuals were

shot in the back.

In naval parlance; belay my last.

Sorry!!

[brentspeak]

10. As a landlubber, what's "belay my last" mean?

[Mike Daniels]

13. I think it roughly translates to "never mind"

[nels25]

14. It means

to disregard my last statement.

It is an admission that my last statement/order was made either in haste, or without sufficent information, or the circumstances in which it was made have changed requiring it to be corrected or stopped.

:toast:

[McCamy Taylor]

6. Was he within his rights? His neighbors property? You can protect you own property in Texas

but I didn't know about any right to protect other people's property.

There was a similar case elsewhere recently---an elderly man with a gun shot a child who cut across his backyard. What happens when crazy people start shooting the meter men and the guys who are delivering the new TV and guys who are repossessing the TV next door? He had 9/11 on the phone. He could have stayed indoors and been safe. Shooting is for self defense and defense of you own property. It is not for just in case your neighbor's property is in danger .

The Grand Jury should yank his gun permit.

[katerinasmommy]

8. I think the man should go to jail for murder

You don't have the right to kill someone if they still from you unless it's going to kill you if you don't have it. And your neighbors' property? The authorities told him to stay in the house and that's what he should have done. He could have had his gun to protect himself as he sat there waiting for the cops. I think the creep thought he was going to play Rambo or maybe he was getting his rocks off over it.


That doesn't excuse the men that stole but good god. As someone else said, theft is not a capital crime.

[slackmaster]

12. Texas law is a little different than the rest of the world

It's not at all clear exactly what happened or how the law should be applied.

[slackmaster]

11. Excellent

:popcorn: