rburch said:
I think the OP here is mostly trying to play Devil's Advocate, but I feel it's not working out the way he'd hoped.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Man you guys are pretty steadfast about not giving the criminal any slack. That's a good thing as in the end the home owner has his life and health. I do get that, really I do.
Here comes more devil's advocate for you:
The "Kid" coming back a week later with a dozen friends all armed to get revenge.
...or the kid coming back because he has even more motivation to murder the home owner who shot him. Criminals' minds are hard to crack. This kid might be so scared now that he won't even
think about committing crimes, or he might be even more motivated to retaliate against the home owner that shot him rather than deter him or even point a gun at him and give him verbal commands to vacate the premises.
If I'm the home owner I'm probably freaked out about the endless possibilities of retaliation from either the kid or his associates. Next time the homeowner might not have the security of being able to post up and watch through the glass as someone kicks his door down.
The problem with speculation is there is no way to know what would/could/should have happened. The homeowner wasn't charged, nobody died, he's not being sued. I think issue is pretty much settled.
Operative word here is
"YET."
If an ambulance chaser lawyer saw that footage he just might contact the "victim" and see what he can do for him. Like someone said earlier the lawsuit doesn't even have to be a "success" nor does a jury have to side with the plaintiff to make the home owner suffer through hiring a lawyer, going to court which jeopardizes his job, etc. etc.
Sorry I know I'm arguing points, but I am playing devil's advocate. My initial, knew jerk reaction to the story was sort of shock and disbelief that the home owner matter-of-factly stated he stood with gun aimed at the intruder as he watched him kick the door down, then shot him.
Reading your replies, and most importantly reading the GA laws/statutes that were posted, has changed how I'd handle such a scenario. I'd probably do what the home owner did, but I sure would feel guilty and be freaked out about the prospect of revenge from the affected parties.