Hopkins student kills intruder with samurai sword

[Mooka]

Not really, my house is laid out so if the burglar turned and ran away from me in my room, he would be running towards my sons room, and I would have to shoot him in the back.

That would be a hairy case depending where you live.

I think, taking greenspandan's comment by itself, that Painkiller's example wasn't absurd. I will retract that. However, in regards to this case it is completely irrelevent.

I'm assuming that greenspandan was talking about property rights vs basic human rights.

[KingGibbs]

If you haven't been in one of these situations to where you feared for your life than I think you should imagine being that guy. I'm sure he reacted on fear and instincts and didn't want to take the risk of the unknown. The unknown being whether or not the intruder was armed. It's pretty simple if you ask me.

[Phantasm]

Thank god everybody doesn't think that way, or everything would be fair game. Burglarize my home, rape my wife, molest my kids, destroy my property. Do whatever you want. I will not fight you, I will not defend myself or others from you. I will argue to vilify, anyone who does take action.

There is nothing worth fighting for.

There is nothing worth dying for.

There is nothing worth defending.

Well said, sir.

[kubstix]

I can't believe people are really sitting here and defending the burglar saying he shouldn't have been killed. Do you guys think your big and tough? Would love to see your reaction in a deep sleep when you hear a window shatter or a door kicked in, then someone walking around your house. Your just going to go check it out right? Your going to say....hello sir what can I do for you? I don't care what anyone says....when you break into my home.....YOU just threatened my life. The minute you stepped in.....MY life just became in jeopardy as well as my children. I don't care whether your holding a super soaker 300....your dead. And I don't give a damn if your laying on the floor struggling for breath after the first rain of bullets.....you will either get another bullet to finish you off.....or I will wait until your dead to finally call the police. I'm in Baltimore every once in awhile....this kid needs a congrats and a bar night on the house. When you have 29 convictions......he just did everyone a favor by removing another piece of trash of the streets.

[stickyshooZ]

If you haven't been in one of these situations to where you feared for your life than I think you should imagine being that guy. I'm sure he reacted on fear and instincts and didn't want to take the risk of the unknown. The unknown being whether or not the intruder was armed. It's pretty simple if you ask me.

Exactly. When you're in a situation of extreme circumstances, it becomes fight or flight. You have to make split second decisions. I'm all for what the guy did to the burglar. You step on my property without my permission and try to rob me, you become fair game. **** human rights.

[rdsknbill]

That was my point.

You have the right to defend yourself and your property, but that right is not 100 percent absolute. You have to be at least somewhat reasonable in what you do, under the circumstances.

Just saying this seems to piss off almost everyone posting on here, many of whom are up in arms because anyone even dares to question this guy's actions or even want to have his story checked out before we absolve him.

We are "taking the side of the criminals." We are cowards. We hate America.

It's annoying.

Come into my house in the middle of the night while my wife and daughters are sleeping. See what happens.

I read this thread earlier in the day and when a career criminal gets killed you want to cry for him? The guy was out of jail for what? two days? for stealing a car? Yea, the world is really going to miss "Uncle Felon"

[GoSkins561]

That would be a hairy case depending where you live.

I think, taking greenspandan's comment by itself, that Painkiller's example wasn't absurd. I will retract that. However, in regards to this case it is completely irrelevent.

I'm assuming that greenspandan was talking about property rights vs basic human rights.

Couldn't I just say, "he turned away from me and looked like he was running towards my son room, I wasn't sure what he was going to do, and felt as if my sons life was in danger, so I shot him" case closed?

[GoSkins561]

Come into my house in the middle of the night while my wife and daughters are sleeping. See what happens.

I read this thread earlier in the day and when a career criminal gets killed you want to cry for him? The guy was out of jail for what? two days? for stealing a car? Yea, the world is really going to miss "Uncle Felon"

Predicto agreed with the students actions and wasn't sure why he was being charged in the first place.

[Thiebear]

I didn't know about the "Lunge"

Being lunged at by a stranger breaking into your house/garage/car/alley etc. equals reaction.

Reaction while holding a sword equals mutilation at best.

An unarmed (no pun intended) man should not lunge at KillBill vol 2.

Darwin wins!

[Kosher Ham]

As a response to the absurd scenario, yes, even a ten year old could be killed. I had access to weapons when I was ten. I didn't use them without my dad's supervision...but they were in my home. Protect your home, family, and property.

I have seen plenty of stories about little kids shooting their friends or themselves. They might be even more dangerous than an adult because the child would be scared or fearless. At least some adults would realize the situation they are in if approached.

[HailYeah]

Come into my house in the middle of the night while my wife and daughters are sleeping. See what happens.

I read this thread earlier in the day and when a career criminal gets killed you want to cry for him? The guy was out of jail for what? two days? for stealing a car? Yea, the world is really going to miss "Uncle Felon"

No one is crying for the criminal. Just saying they understand why they're checking out the guy's story. Some people are quick with the trigger (or flying samarai chop) and they just need to make sure this guy was protecting himself - not getting all Quinten Tarantino on somebody for the sake of it. 99% chance this guy was well within his rights and no charges will be filed. I'm all for self-defense as anybody with half a brain should be.

But here's a real-life scenario: a buddy of mine was back from his second tour of duty in Iraq. He flies blackhawks for the Army. He got plowed at a bar with some friends the first week and stumbled back to his new house he had bought a few days after returning to the states. Except that he went in the wrong house. Thank God the person whose house it was didn't have the first reaction to slice him in two with a samarai sword or spray him with an AK. Was my buddy stupid? Yes. Could he have been killed? Yes. Did he deserve to die for being stupid and drunk and not knowing where he was? I dont know. He was arrested but the person didnt press charges. So lucky. I guess the only point I'm trying to make is that sometimes, its actually better if no one gets killed. But I guess thats hard for some people to buy.

[Kosher Ham]

But here's a real-life scenario: a buddy of mine was back from his second tour of duty in Iraq. He flies blackhawks for the Army. He got plowed at a bar with some friends the first week and stumbled back to his new house he had bought a few days after returning to the states. Except that he went in the wrong house. Thank God the person whose house it was didn't have the first reaction to slice him in two with a samarai sword or spray him with an AK. Was my buddy stupid? Yes. Could he have been killed? Yes. Did he deserve to die for being stupid and drunk and not knowing where he was? I dont know. He was arrested but the person didnt press charges. So lucky. I guess the only point I'm trying to make is that sometimes, its actually better if no one gets killed. But I guess thats hard for some people to buy.

Did your buddy break in and lunge at the property owner ?

That ends it for me. The guy protected himself and his property.

And a drunk pilot is a bad thing.

IMO, if he was killed because he broke into another persons home...yeah.

[Popeman38]

But here's a real-life scenario: a buddy of mine was back from his second tour of duty in Iraq. He flies blackhawks for the Army. He got plowed at a bar with some friends the first week and stumbled back to his new house he had bought a few days after returning to the states. Except that he went in the wrong house. Thank God the person whose house it was didn't have the first reaction to slice him in two with a samarai sword or spray him with an AK. Was my buddy stupid? Yes. Could he have been killed? Yes. Did he deserve to die for being stupid and drunk and not knowing where he was? I dont know. He was arrested but the person didnt press charges. So lucky. I guess the only point I'm trying to make is that sometimes, its actually better if no one gets killed. But I guess thats hard for some people to buy.

Really? Talk about a straw man. Iraq war veteran drunk and goes to wrong house vs a convicted criminal who just got released from the poke 72 hours earlier. 29 previous charges. Did the Iraq war vet try to steal anything? Did he try to fight the resident? I doubt it. But yeah, make some more comparisons.

[greenspandan]

Really? Talk about a straw man. Iraq war veteran drunk and goes to wrong house vs a convicted criminal who just got released from the poke 72 hours earlier. 29 previous charges. Did the Iraq war vet try to steal anything? Did he try to fight the resident? I doubt it. But yeah, make some more comparisons.

the point is just beacuse someone is unexpectedly in your house, that doesn't give you the legal right to kill them, and for good reason -- because situations like this exist. i don't know why so many people have so much trouble getting their head around the simple concept.

nobody is saying you can't kill out of self defense, and nobody is defending criminals. i think some of us would just like to point out that the "self defense" defense does not legally cover protecting your playstation.

[kubstix]

the point is just beacuse someone is unexpectedly in your house, that doesn't give you the legal right to kill them, and for good reason -- because situations like this exist. i don't know why so many people have so much trouble getting their head around the simple concept.

nobody is saying you can't kill out of self defense, and nobody is defending criminals. i think some of us would just like to point out that the "self defense" defense does not legally cover protecting your playstation.

A simple concept? The only person having so much trouble here is you. You seem to think it's ok for anyone in the country to just break into someone else house and steal because the law says we can't defend our property. Well I might as well break into the neighborhood houses with a skimask because I know nobody is going to harm me and the police are going to take 20 minutes to get there. How idiotic do your statements sound right now? Pick 10 homes who the owners own a firearm and do us a favor and break in at 2AM to get a glass of water.......I'll throw my bank account on the fact that you won't get passed the first one.

[Predicto]

This thread is amazing.

Even DARE to suggest that deadly force may not be not justified under EVERY SINGLE POSSIBLE circumstance, and people just go ballistic. Even "kill the next door neighbor's kid to defend your can of soda" is not too extreme. Anyone who questions that is coddling criminals.

It's like you all spend your time fantasizing about being able to shoot someone, finally put that gun to good use, show you are more macho than the next poster. Travis Bickle would be proud of you.

[kubstix]

This thread is amazing.

Even DARE to suggest that deadly force may not be not justified under EVERY SINGLE POSSIBLE circumstance, and people just go ballistic. Even "kill the next door neighbor's kid to defend your can of soda" is not too extreme. Anyone who questions that is coddling criminals.

It's like you all spend your time fantasizing about being able to shoot someone, finally put that gun to good use, show you are more macho than the next poster. Travis Bickle would be proud of you.

Your right, but what's even more amazing is the Democrats in here crying like a little baby over this dead piece of ****.

[greenspandan]

A simple concept? The only person having so much trouble here is you. You seem to think it's ok for anyone in the country to just break into someone else house and steal because the law says we can't defend our property.

no, it is against the law to defend your PROPERTY with lethal force. if you disagree, take it up with your lawmakers.

self defense is not a part of your or my argument here.

[greenspandan]

Your right, but what's even more amazing is the Democrats in here crying like a little baby over this dead piece of ****.

if you can't hold a logical conversation, stop posting. the scenarios we've been describing (on both sides) are hypotheticals, and NOBODY is defending criminals. we are merely condemning murder.

[MattFancy]

Update! Apparently the JHU Police were at the house hours before because a neighbor saw a suspicious person in the students' yard. And it happened outside of the garage and not in the garage.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-sword-killing0917,0,16472.story

[Skinned]

I don't have sympathy for the career criminal whose luck (?) ran out, but I can also understand the potential trouble that the kid may be in. If it was just a sword to the gut and the guy died, it would be one thing. But a severed hand and multiple lacerations doesn't necessarily seem kosher......

It's a tough spot to be in. The kid grabbed his protection and went to investigate and was probably blocking the only exit. The criminal doesn't want to go back to jail so he has to get out and the kid doesn't want to let him get away scott-free. Unless the guy lays down or the kid backs away from the door, you're looking at a confrontation between a kid with a sword and a charging criminal. Now, did the injuries all happen during one struggle or did the kid chop off his hand and then continue to slice and dice? I don't know the details yet, but I can see the reasons why questions are being raised.

[Predicto]

Your right, but what's even more amazing is the Democrats in here crying like a little baby over this dead piece of ****.

First show me a single person who did that.

Because I didn't do it. Neither did greenspandan. Neither did jonasc311. Neither did MurrayH81.

So who exactly are you talking about "crying like a little baby" over this criminal?

[Predicto]

Update! Apparently the JHU Police were at the house hours before because a neighbor saw a suspicious person in the students' yard. And it happened outside of the garage and not in the garage.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-sword-killing0917,0,16472.story

I think that it is offensive that they are even investigating what happened! Once the guy claimed was self defense, the investigation should have stopped right there, because that is all that matters. He claimed self defense, for goodness sake! What is America coming to? Of course this happens in Maryland.

The only crime here is that he didn't cut off the guys head and stick it on a pole to warn off all the other criminal scum.

[Skinned]

Update! Apparently the JHU Police were at the house hours before because a neighbor saw a suspicious person in the students' yard. And it happened outside of the garage and not in the garage.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-sword-killing0917,0,16472.story

Well, that should lay some of this to rest IMO. The kid didn't have him cornered, didn't use excessive force, gave the guy an out and tried to call the cops.

After the officers left, the housemates decided to check the area again, with Pontolillo grabbing the sword, Guglielmi said. As Pontolillo checked an outside yard area after 1 a.m., he noticed Rice crouched in a corner, Guglielmi said. He told the man not to move, and yelled for his roommates to call police, according to Guglielmi.

Pontolillo was not inside the garage but backed up against the exterior of a garage door when Rice is alleged to have aggressively moved toward him with his arms raised. Guglielmi said Pontolillo made one downward strike towards Rice, hitting him in the neck and the hand. Rice's hand was nearly severed, and he bled to death at the scene.

[MurrayH81]

First show me a single person who did that.

Because I didn't do it. Neither did greenspandan. Neither did jonasc311. Neither did MurrayH81.

So who exactly are you talking about "crying like a little baby" over this criminal?

Holy crap! Disembowel me right now. Since when did I ever become a democrat, or criminal sympathizer on this board or in this thread?

Frankly, I am neither. I firmly believe in self defense, and property rights that give "you the owner" the absolute right to investigate anything untoward on your property and confront any individual trespassing.

I do stop short of approval for man-traps, random murders of passersby who step on your lawn, small children pursuing balls, or annoying political or evangelical people charging your door to enlighten you.

**EDIT ADDITION**

I'd also like to point out that a police investigation is normal, expected and completely okay when the police discover or are called to a scene where a corpse is present. That's what they should do -- determine why the corpse is there, and what caused a living human to become a corpse. I don't know if there is anything else that they do that has or should have a higher mandate.