Jury Acquits Texas Man For Murder Of Escort Who Refused Sex

[Phoenix86]

Can you cite a single source indicating that the money was stolen? If he willingly gave her the money then the theft after dark law doesn't even apply.

From the link in the OP:
Under Texas law, an individual is authorized to use deadly force to “retrieve stolen property at night,” and Gilbert’s lawyers cited that provision as justification for Gilbert’s action, reasoning that Frago had stolen $150 from him by taking his money without delivering sex

This was somehow proven in court, the jurors agreed. Do you really think there would be an acquittal w/o that KEY fact being demonstrated?

I don't think that fact is especially difficult to prove either, it's pretty clear she was there as a prostitute, stole his money and intended to leave him hanging. The laws on the books allow you to protect your property with deadly force.

I don't agree with the application of this law in this case, I'm just explaining how it played out. I think the laws need some adjustment to exclude this type of application, however what's on the books now seem to allow for it.

I'm also saying the same law used to justify this exists in many states. People in this thread act like this law is somehow exclusive to Texas. There are variations of castle laws in about 15-20 states and this list is growing.

 

[nehalem256]

That's the layman's belief.

There are many women just looking to make extra cash and a lot of dudes just looking for some company.

You and the other tards thinking it's your right to kill them over it is bullshit.

And how many of the women "just looking to make extra cash" have pimps waiting outside?

 

[Craig234]

i voted democrat.. i'm a texan.. full of hillbillies this place is.. but it's home

Things are changing.

Texas is on the path to a swing if not blue state.

 

[bononos]

Wasn't the intent of the law when it was passed in Texas to deter cattle rustling back in the old days.
I think there was a case in the past where a homeowner shot blindly into the dark when he heard strange noises and there was a body in the morning- not charged.

 

[BUTCH1]

You pay an escort for her time. They don't all give out sex at the end or during that date.

Well, probably the best thing for all parties involved is to be VERY specific what the $150 is for, there's a huge difference in having dinner and drinks with someone vs giving out a BJ, that way there would be no "misunderstandings" at the end of the night..

 

[rudder]

Well, probably the best thing for all parties involved is to be VERY specific what the $150 is for, there's a huge difference in having dinner and drinks with someone vs giving out a BJ, that way there would be no "misunderstandings" at the end of the night..

Well most places I think it is illegal to advertise for sex. These ladies advertise for "companionship and time." Mentioning money for sex will get you arrested. mentioning money for someone to come over and hang out at your house probably not. So the expectation of having sex is implied. I think the guy should be in prison.

 

[LTC8K6]

They were thieves in a state that allows the public to shoot thieves...

 

[BUTCH1]

Well most places I think it is illegal to advertise for sex. These ladies advertise for "companionship and time." Mentioning money for sex will get you arrested. mentioning money for someone to come over and hang out at your house probably not. So the expectation of having sex is implied. I think the guy should be in prison.

Yea, I see your point, maybe ask as "are we REALLY gonna have fun later!", really prostitution should not be a crime. Having sex isn't a crime, why should paying someone for sex be a crime?. Some people buff their own cars, some pay for a buff-job..

 

[Phoenix86]

Yea, I see your point, maybe ask as "are we REALLY gonna have fun later!", really prostitution should not be a crime. Having sex isn't a crime, why should paying someone for sex be a crime?. Some people buff their own cars, some pay for a buff-job..

Which raises a question, do people have a problem with the law that allows you to defend your property with lethal force, or do people have a problem that the initial act was illegal (prostitution)?

 

[BUTCH1]

Which raises a question, do people have a problem with the law that allows you to defend your property with lethal force, or do people have a problem that the initial act was illegal (prostitution)?

Well, if I shot someone stealing my lawnmower and killed him I might have regrets over meting out the death penalty over a lawnmower, but that's just me. I'd rather try and beat the crap out of someone stealing my mower but I'm getting old now so maybe I'll just shoot for the legs..

 

[MagickMan]

Like others have said, if they'd gone for manslaughter he would have been found guilty, going for murder got him off the hook. It's a stupid DA who's to blame, not anyone else.

 

[ElFenix]

Let me fix that for you: "Texas wants so much to be Saudi Arabia". This is such a batshit stupid law and ruling that it could ONLY come from a state full of RepubliTALIBAN morons.

it's an old cattle rustling law. it's basically been around since 1879. long before any talibaptists or whatever other pejorative term you want to use for modern conservitards came about.

 

[Phoenix86]

Well, if I shot someone stealing my lawnmower and killed him I might have regrets over meting out the death penalty over a lawnmower, but that's just me. I'd rather try and beat the crap out of someone stealing my mower but I'm getting old now so maybe I'll just shoot for the legs..

Do you have a dollar amount that's worth killing over? You'd risk your life in a physical confrontation if you could but you can't so maiming is OK?

The logic behind these statements is shaky at best, writing a law around them would be even more difficult.