It's official. Joe Horn got away with cold-blooded, premeditated murder today when a Harris County grand jury decided not to file any charges against him for shooting to death two men who had just burglarized his neighbors house. But I'm not surprised. When writing about this case back in December I said
...Despite these facts, we're still waiting to hear from the Harris County DA regarding charges against Mr. Horn. Suffice it to say, no one's holding their breath.
...when he went outside. He (Joe Horn) just saw two Black dudes. And in the eyes of many of my fellow Texans, despite the fact that burglary has NEVER been deemed a capital offense, and that a man is supposedly innocent until proven guilty; that is justification enough to get away with murder.
Sometimes I hate it when I'm right. To recap, they weren't robbing his house, a 911 operator told him to stay inside because police were on the way, and as it turns out, were already on the scene but had to duck to avoid getting shot.
"It was over within seconds. The detective never had time to say anything before the shots were fired," (Pasadena police Capt. A.H. "Bud") Corbett said. "At first, the officer was assessing the situation. Then he was worried Horn might mistake him for the 'wheel man' (getaway driver). He ducked at one point.
Did I mention that both men were shot in the back? I know this is Texas and all, but even back in the wild west shooting somebody in the back was considered a cowardly act. What's different here?
Well at least we know that Good ol' Joe feels so bad about what he did now.
Horn's attorney, Tom Lambright, said recently that Horn regrets his decision to confront the men.
"Was it a mistake from a legal standpoint? No. But a mistake in his life? Yes," Lambright said. "Because it's affected him terribly. And if he had it to do over again, he would stay inside.
...Lambright said Horn didn't expect to be involved in a shooting, but rather expected to see the two men running or driving away.
"He thought he was gathering evidence for the police department," Lambright said.
Sure Mr. Lambright. None of of us heard the 911 tape where Good ol' Joe told the operator he was going out there to kill those men. I'm sure it's really had an effect on him, but I guarantee it hasn't affected his life like it did the men he murdered.There are a lot of folks asking now what the makeup of that grand jury was. C'mon, do you really have to ask. This is after all Harris County, TX. But like I said, I'm not surprised. just wonder what the outcome would have been if the victims weren't Black, Hispanic, and in the country illegally from Columbia.
Well, Good ol' Joe, you got away with it.
17 comments:
Totally agree. If they had been young white kids ripping off his neighbors house, Horn would be getting his ass kick by Sheriff Tommy Thomas.
I think this tells Texas alot.....shoot then in the back, let God sort them out.
man that is foul.
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Maybe the county could provide a list of who it is okay to kill. That way good people like Mr. Horn would not have to have many anxious months worrying if he would have to stand trial. Persons who kill someone of the approved list would have nothing to woory about.
I'm trying to find a site with some legal analysis that explains just how it is possible for a grand jury to no-bill such an obvious case of murder. Would love it if somebody has a link to share.
I wrote with my own thoughts on my blog, with more to come.
to shoot two people in the back for material anything, is ridiculous, if the two men were white I would feel the same way
murder has no color
I will never understand how it can be legal to shoot an unarmed person in the back (even if they've committed a crime).
As I said on my blog, sometimes being a natural-born Texan is downright embarrassing.
Folks- my apologies, I've been seriously slow in responding to comments. Life intrudes, again.
John Coby - You have to wonder what the response would've been if the victims were somebody, anybody else. Texas already has a bad reputation as a shoot first, ask questions later state. This certainly won't help.
Torrance - Foul is an understatement in my opinion. Thanks for dropping by, your comment, and the kinds word re: the blog. Consider yourself linked.
Texas Lib - That preapproved kill list might work ok for some folks, but I'm afraid me and mine might just be on it. In that respect, I'll let the Joe Horn's of the word agonize a little bit.
Gingko100 - Thanks for coming by and your comment. Your analysis was dead on (at your blog). I wish I had more of a legal background to help you out, but all I know is wrong is wrong. Would you like to trade links too? I'd love to see the followup.
That Girl Boo - Exactly. Too many people act as if the only reason people are upset is because the victims were Black Hispanics. Murder is murder.
Jobanger - Your post was right on point. Being a Texan is almost like being in the mob, you never which one of your neighbors might blow your head off someday.
I still don't know where in the civilized world (well, I guess in America!!) you can shoot a man dead simply because he is breaking into the house next door...and get away with it.
My Japanese friends are beyond SHOCKED and are more convinced than ever that America is a country that represents 'hell on earth.' It really sickens me to admit that our country is becoming more and more violently selfish, losing sight of humanity to the point that some of our laws view a man's life as less than property. Slavery reborn...millennium style?
They were illegal. Finally, someone is getting rid of the garbage,
Hello anonymous:
Yes, they were illegal...but in terms of humanity, I think the actual 'garbage' was Joe Horn pulling the trigger.
The infamous anonymous - We've been waiting for you.
First, no person is illegal. And second, the police were already there. Finally, Joe Horn had no right to be judge, jury, and executioner. There's no justification for it, and the fact that the only thing you can dredge up is "they were illegal" only illustrates how indefensible his actions were.
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Well at least the Family of Trayvonn recieved justice(like a month and ahalf later) lifes not all ways fair but at least theres those moments when good trumps evil
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