There seems to be some confusion here. Joe Horn is not a hero.
The Pasadena homeowner certainly had a chance to be a hero, but he gave up that opportunity as soon as he allowed fear, adrenaline, suburban angst, Old West entitlement or all of the aforementioned to overwhelm his ability to think rationally and consider the consequences of his actions.
Let’s imagine, for a moment, that the whole ordeal had turned out differently, that after the 61-year-old computer consultant called 911 to report a burglary next door on that November afternoon, he had followed the dispatcher’s advice and stayed safely inside his house.
He still could have provided descriptions of the bad guys and let police know which way they were fleeing. He could have stood guard, loaded shotgun in hand, just in case the burglars preyed on his house next.
Full Story Here:
Falkenberg: Self-defense unclear in Horn case – Houston Chronicle
This is an excellent Op/Ed by Lisa Falkenberg of the Houston Chronicle, in her article she points out the same issues that I have been pointing to since this story began.
It’s almost scary how her article mirrors some of the commentary I have made in regards to this case, Mr. Horn is NOT a hero, he broke the law, he ignored direct orders to stay put and 2 men are dead because of it, and yeah, they were burglars, but as I, and now Lisa have pointed out, burglary is NOT a death penalty issue, and Horn placed himself in the position of being judge, jury and executioner.
I don’t know what will become of Horn, hell, he may be vindicated and given a heroes medal and a parade for all I know, but I will never believe Horn was right in his final actions, once Horn took up his shotgun and walked out from behind the protection of his LOCKED doors and deliberately inserted himself directly into this drama, Mr. Horn was wrong, dead wrong, he became a modern day vigilante and there’s no other way to look at it.
Kudos to Ms. Falkenberg for having the intestinal fortitude to write the truth and not succumb to the madness of the mob mentality that is prevalent on ALL sides of this issue, I encourage you to read the full story at the link above, and you really need to read the comments some folks have made.
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Yep, I commend Horne for doing something… That something should have stopped at the 9-11 call. After that, he became no better than those he killed.
I don’t know all the facts of Horn’s actions, but I do have a couple of questions:
1. Did the burglars come after him? even if they did, they wouldn’t have if he stayed put like the 911 operator told him to do.
2. Has there been a rise in the crime rate in his neighborhood? (prior to the incident) if so it would explain the anger and urgency in his voice.
3. Is the DA going to press charges against Horn? if so what will they be? and will he be able to get a fair trial after all the publicity?
I do realize he was wrong in what he did, however; the criminals set the events in motion, one would not have happened without the other. So I would imagine Horne could be granted a lesser charge than murder.
Being a very involved member of my neighborhood watch, and community security, I can certainly understand the urge to assist the neighbors. I also understand the NEED to work with Law Enforcement to achieve a peaceful crime free area to live.
I have no anger toward Horn, I wish him all the luck in the world, he is going to need it.
I’ve said before that Horn was wrong for how he interjected himself into the equation. I watched two legal analysts on the O’Rilley Factor last night and they both said they would prosecute Mr. Horn. But, I wouldn’t mind having Mr. Horn for a neighbor as I know he’s always got my back.
Yeah, as long as he doesn’t get overly excited and shoot YOU in the process…
Different strokes for different folks, I reckon.
Perhaps it is the way I was reared in the deep Appalachian Mountains, or perhaps my experiences since moving to the Gulf Coast and living through a few minor and two major hurricanes. I’d be damned proud to have this fellow as my neighbor – especially during an emergency! The one thing that is true when the feces impacts the rotating atmospheric oscillator is that you can’t count on the cops. At such times your best friend is a fully loaded shotgun. Better yet, one in your hands and one in the hands of a good neighbor.
Perhaps in the eyes of the law this man went too far. Yet nothing would have happened to those scumbag thieves if they hadn’t been robbing someone blind. They just got theirs quicker than some others.
Yep, they got murdered…
Not saying I am sorry it happened but MURDER is murder, no matter WHO does it or how it happens…
And Horn is now a murderer…