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Vigilantes in Louisiana

Interesting story, many questions. Were the robbers armed before they took the store clerk's gun? Why didn't the customers wait for the police? If the thugs were leaving, was it justified to shoot?
 
T
Inusuit said:
Interesting story, many questions. Were the robbers armed before they took the store clerk's gun? Why didn't the customers wait for the police? If the thugs were leaving, was it justified to shoot?
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The article says they were "a trio of armed burglars" when they entered which is a misnomer. They were armed robbers but the reporter probably doesn't know the difference. The rest is subjective.
 
Hi,

"Stills from the surveillance video show at least one of the customers holding what appears to be an assault-style rifle."

Good grief. :rolleyes:

It's hard to call them "do-gooders" if they flee the scene. Yes, many questions. Louisiana is not yet a Constitutional carry state. (I think the Governor vetoed the bill even though it passed both houses overwhelmingly at one time.) I find it odd the customers would go out to their vehicle to get their guns then go back in the store for a shootout. Did either of them have a carry permit? How legal is fetching your rifle? If these guys come forward, proving self-defense might be a challenge. But we can speculate all day. I'll shut up now. ;)


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
HayesGreener said:
The article says they were "a trio of armed burglars" when they entered which is a misnomer. They were armed robbers but the reporter probably doesn't know the difference. The rest is subjective.
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I mean, whoever wrote that story probably didn't get past comp one in high school.

I was always taught that if you get out of the situation don't go back to it and I would be willing to bet that they're jurisdictions in which that would have caused some trouble for the customers.
 
BassCliff said:
Hi,

"Stills from the surveillance video show at least one of the customers holding what appears to be an assault-style rifle."

Good grief. :rolleyes:

It's hard to call them "do-gooders" if they flee the scene. Yes, many questions. Louisiana is not yet a Constitutional carry state. (I think the Governor vetoed the bill even though it passed both houses overwhelmingly at one time.) I find it odd the customers would go out to their vehicle to get their guns then go back in the store for a shootout. Did either of them have a carry permit? How legal is fetching your rifle? If these guys come forward, proving self-defense might be a challenge. But we can speculate all day. I'll shut up now. ;)


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
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It is the nature of vigilantism throughout history going back to biblical times.
 
KillerFord1977 said:
Just a hunch here, but I bet $5 the 2 men who grabbed guns from their truck already have a rap sheet known to police
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Understand here I do not encourage vigilantism, though there is a fine line between that and citizen's arrest.

There was a case with similarities in Houston in January where a customer killed an armed robber who was leaving the store, then left the scene. He contacted LE later and they released him after interview. In that case the robber had a replica pistol but no one in that taco joint knew that. It was presented to the Grand Jury but I think there was no indictment.

Louisiana law on use of deadly force is a little less clear on use of deadly force in defense of others than Florida's law. The laws differ from state to state and are subject to interpretation. But in general if the robber is still present on the pemises with a gun no matter which direction he is going, it is going to be viewed as a robbery still in progress and still a threat. An ethical prosecutor is going ask himself, if I file this charge, can I reasonably expect to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed when those guys intervened and shot two armed robbers? Under these circumstances in the South, it is doubtful. On balance most law abiding citizens are going to think, two dead armed robbers, its a shame they didn't shoot all three.

I have said it here before, as people become more frustrated with government failures to deter crime, vigilantism will emerge, right or wrong.
 

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Vigilantism is bound to eventually lead to jury nullification where the jury returns a “not guilty” verdict even if jurors believe beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant broke the law. Unless the justice system can get a handle on the growing crime situation in this country I fear we will start down this slippery slope.
 
I've read in a different article that the two men that took on the robbers were associates of the store owner/clerk. Defending an innocent civilian against an attack is hardly vigilantism in my book. Going out of your way to track down criminals or trying to gain retribution is more correct use of the word vigilante.
 
Louisiana law enforcement is inconsistent. Here is a case where a clerk shot an armed robber and was charged with manslaughter. Grand Jury refused to indict him but he was put through the wringer. The statute is ambiguous and this was overzealous LE
www.wsaz.com

Jury clears Dollar General clerk of manslaughter after shooting, killing armed robber

A Dollar General clerk has been cleared of a manslaughter charge after a jury found there was not enough evidence.
www.wsaz.com www.wsaz.com
 
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