Decisions made in the heat of the moment can sometimes have unfortunate outcomes. Such was the result after a man attempted to defend his private property. The Denver resident now faces several charges for violent crimes.
On Oct. 9, 2016, a 48-year old man spotted two teenagers in his High Street backyard in the Whittier neighborhood. Apparently, the two young men had climbed over a fence to gain access to the yard. They are alleged to have been attempting to steal marijuana, which the homeowner grows on his property.
According to authorities, the man opened fire on the teens with a firearm from a second floor window. Two rifles and used cartridges were found at the scene. Neighbors reported hearing between 6-8 shots in the early morning hours.
One of the boys, a 15 year old, was killed in the shooting. The other boy, age 14, was severely injured during the incident. The homeowner was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and drug-related offenses. He was taken into custody and is now waiting for a court date. The man has also been accused of shooting a 17-year old boy last year in a similar incident, though no formal complaint was filed at that time.
Defending one’s own property is not a crime in and of itself. When that defense leads to injuries or even death, however, authorities are compelled to investigate the matter. Building a good legal defense for his actions will be crucial to this man’s future situation. The same is true for any individual accused of violent crimes. Seeking counsel from a Denver-based criminal defense attorney is an excellent first step.
Source: CBS Denver, “Murder Charges Filed Against Grower Who Allegedly Shot Teens“, Oct. 20, 2016
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