Castle Doctrine in effect

zigzag · Post by **zigzag** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:06 pm

A Real Test of Texas' New Castle Doctrine Law
West Dallas business owner kills 2 suspected burglars in 3 weeks

09:32 PM CDT on Sunday, October 14, 2007
By MARISSA ALANIS / The Dallas Morning News
malanis@dallasnews.com

quote:
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A Ledbetter-area business owner fatally shot a suspected burglar Sunday morning â€“ the second time in three weeks that he killed an intruder, Dallas police said.

James Walton, owner of Able Walton Machine & Welding in the 2000 block of Chalk Hill Road in West Dallas, was alerted to the intruder when his motion sensor system activated about 9 a.m. Sunday, police said.

Mr. Walton, who also lives at his business, went downstairs with a shotgun and fired at a man who had broken in. The intruder was later identified by police as Jimmy Gannon of Ferris.

Police said Mr. Walton also noticed another man outside Sunday. Mr. Walton shot and wounded that man. He escaped, but a witness eventually led police to him. The man, whom police did not immediately identify, was questioned by officers Sunday afternoon.

Mr. Gannon, 37, was taken to Methodist Dallas Medical Center, where he died.

Police said Mr. Walton is allowed to protect his property. No charges were filed against him Sunday, though the case will be referred to a grand jury, police said.

"He's got a right to defend his property. What gives a stranger the right to go in and vandalize or burglarize his business?" said Dallas police Sgt. Gene Reyes. "He's within every legal right to do this."

Mr. Walton could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Dallas police Sgt. Andrew Harvey said he doesn't believe anything was stolen from Mr. Walton's business on Sunday.

On Sept. 22, Mr. Walton shot and killed a man he saw climbing through a pried-open window of his business, police said. The intruder was later identified as Raul Laureles. That incident also was referred to a grand jury.

zigzag · Post by **zigzag** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:16 pm

I wish our HPDs have people of that same spirit to us CHLers/

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:32 pm

Have I mentioned I hate the media?

The Castle Doctrine has nothing to do with this. He was using deadly force to stop the imminent commisison of a burglary, which was legal before the Castle Doctrine became effective Sept 1.

Liberty · Post by **Liberty** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 5:43 am

txinvestigator wrote:Have I mentioned I hate the media?

The Castle Doctrine has nothing to do with this. He was using deadly force to stop the imminent commisison of a burglary, which was legal before the Castle Doctrine became effective Sept 1.

Yeah but got to love the money quote.

"He's got a right to defend his property. What gives a stranger the right to go in and vandalize or burglarize his business?" said Dallas police Sgt. Gene Reyes. "He's within every legal right to do this."

I was surprised to see that quote reported. Sometimes the media gets it right

Photoman · Post by **Photoman** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 6:52 am

I wonder if Sgt. Reyes got a call from downtown on that one?!

Wildscar · Post by **Wildscar** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:57 am

Thread alredy started here.

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... highlight=