From Fox News:
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma City pharmacist who shot and killed a 16-year-old would-be robber was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder.That does sound like a bit much, but First Degree Murder? There has to be more.
Jerome Ersland, 57, was being held without bail in the Oklahoma County Jail.
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said in an afternoon news conference that Ersland was justified in shooting Antwun Parker once in the head on May 19. But Prater said Ersland went too far when he shot Parker five more times in the abdomen while Parker lay unconscious on the floor.
At an afternoon news conference, Prater showed a security video in which two men burst into the pharmacy and one is shot.
Ersland is seen chasing the second man outside before returning, walking past Parker to get a second gun then going back to Parker and opening fire...
...Jacobson said the suspect who ran away from the pharmacy was armed, but no gun was found near Parker.This is how self defense turns into first degree murder. If this account is accurate, and it should be seeing as how they have it on video, then the pharmacist did step way over the line and the charges are warranted.
"Ersland shows no concern for his safety as he walks by Parker, and turns his back to Parker as he walks behind the pharmacy counter," Jacobson said. "Ersland is then seen to put the pistol he is carrying on the counter, and retrieve a second pistol from a drawer."
Ersland used this pistol to shoot Parker on the ground, the detective said.
Update: Motor-T, in the comments, provided the link to the video.
Update #2: Guess I should read my blog list more often. Firehand commented on this yesterday with Unless the prosecutor has some evidence to prove the pharmacist lying,
Latest update: Xavier has more with Robbery Victim Charged with Murder
8 comments:
Too bad. I had such high hopes.
If he has a good lawyer/shyster (NOT the ACLU!) maybe he can get off/reduced sentence for extenuating circumstances, or mental exhaustion, or frame of mind, or. . . Or maybe the jury will find him innocent anyway. The jury DOESN'T always have to listen to the judge.
PS - Q:?? How do you "murder" a person who's already dead?
B Woodman
SSG (Ret) U S Army
Here's the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSBBlEhmWNQ
While I think I would have done things differently, I'd vote not guilty on that jury. It's dangerous to participate in an armed robbery. If anybody should be prosecuted for Parker's death, it should be the runner.
Motor-T, thanks for the link.
I believe the runner can also be prosecuted for Parker's death.
The jr Goblin made a choice to attempt an armed robbery, he made the choice and his death is the concequence of that choice.
It will be interesting to see how the jury goes on this one.
I'd give it a "no" bill if I were on the Grand Jury myself, because Goblins need put down.
That said, unless the dude on the floor looked like he was coming up with something (anything) in his hand, that was a bad shoot. The video doesn't show it. The only eye-witness says he was justified in his own mind at the time. That's reasonable doubt material at the very least and a citation for merit from the mayor at best.
The runner can almost surely be prosecuted for felony murder (someone dies during the commission of a felony).
Shooting someone who is on the ground (wounded?)and no longer a threat is absolutely inexcusable. This guy gives law abiding gun owners a bad name.
It will almost surely get plead down to murder two or maybe even manslaughter. They always start high to have room to bargain.
if that had happened in my house i would have done the same thing. only difference is that there would not have been any video. this goblin made a choice and it was not the correct one. not guilty!
Just goes to show you. Use something larger than a .380, Preferably something beginning with a 4 in the caliber.
It is possible the coroner will establish cause of death as the head shot. If this is the case the State will probably have to reduce charges to abuse of corpse.
That said, the additional 5 shots were not a good idea, and tends to make a citizen shooting look like a bloodthirsty act. Brings to mind an article I read in a Florida paper where the self defense shooting (no charges) were described by the reporter as a self defense murder. Bias in reporting is very commonplace, and this type of shooting gives the liberal media something to hang their hats on. Good luck on your diet, although when we met at Winchester Gallery you did not look all that overweight to me. Tell me your secret for quitting smoking.
Paul
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