Self Defense ruled in MontCo shooting death verdict

[BucksCountyBob]

Just finished reading this article and it seems this guy did everything he could to avoid having to shoot these folks:

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/crim...48642dda9.html

As one of the commenters to the article noted, I wonder what it cost him to defend himself. Interestingly, the court noted that they didn't even need to cite the Castle Doctrine on this one, as it was a case of "old fashioned self defense".

Regards,

BCB

[jerkin]

I don't think it cost him any money, there were no charges filed.

[BucksCountyBob]

Good point. My reading comprehension has really gone downhill...

[donm]

I don't think it cost him any money, there were no charges filed.

From this account, that is probably the case since it appears that he "fully cooperated" without benefit of counsel. In this instance it worked out, but it could have gone terribly wrong and it's not the approach I'd recommend.

I'd retain firearms-savvy counsel as quickly as possible, certainly before I gave a statement with any details to the police. My attorney's first objective would be to work with the authorities to achieve this outcome (no charges). If he's successful, it would be far less expensive than a trial -- but not free.

[Zeke2A]

If I were Mr. Gonzales I would be concerned about retaliation from the father.

Terrible burden to always be looking over ones shoulder.

[ByblosHex]

If I were Mr. Gonzales I would be concerned about retaliation from the father.

Terrible burden to always be looking over ones shoulder.

Hopefully he learned his lesson.

[brownman]

Already being discussed here-
http://forum.pafoa.org/pennsylvania-...f-defense.html

Please do a quick search before posting news related items. It will greatly decrease the chances of "double" or "triple" threads.

Maybe Mods could merge the two

[Doughdaddy]

If I were Mr. Gonzales I would be concerned about retaliation from the father.

Terrible burden to always be looking over ones shoulder.

The father should face manslaughter charges at the least, murder preferably. He is guilty of that in itself since a death resulted during the course of a felony, the felony being attempted murder of the guy who shot his son.

Retaliation would not be possible for 2 1/2 - 5 years. The father should be mad at himself anyways since his own actions caused the death of his son.

[ByblosHex]

The father should face manslaughter charges at the least, murder preferably. He is guilty of that in itself since a death resulted during the course of a felony, the felony being attempted murder of the guy who shot his son.

Retaliation would not be possible for 2 1/2 - 5 years. The father should be mad at himself anyways since his own actions caused the death of his son.

In other states he would be charged for his son's death.

[Doughdaddy]

In other states he would be charged for his son's death.

Why not PA?

§ 2504. Involuntary manslaughter.
(a) General rule.--A person is guilty of involuntary
manslaughter when as a direct result of the doing of an unlawful
act in a reckless or grossly negligent manner, or the doing of a
lawful act in a reckless or grossly negligent manner, he causes
the death of another person.
(b) Grading.--Involuntary manslaughter is a misdemeanor of
the first degree. Where the victim is under 12 years of age and
is in the care, custody or control of the person who caused the
death, involuntary manslaughter is a felony of the second
degree.

It may be of a lesser charge than some of the others but HE would be shown responsible for his kids death that way, not the defender.