Legally blind man killed friend, saved by 'Stand Your Ground'

[Penny Lane 8,159]

A legally blind Florida man who shot and killed his friend during an alcohol-fueled argument has won immunity from prosecution under the state’s “stand your ground” law, reports the Orlando Sentinel.

John Wayne Rogers, 40, shot and killed James DeWitt, 34, with a rifle in Rogers’ home in May 2012 after a day of drinking.

Rogers’ trial on first-degree murder charges began Monday in Seminole County, but on Friday, a judge ruled that Rogers acted in self-defense when he shot DeWitt in the chest, reports the Sentinel.

DeWitt's girlfriend, Christina Robertson, told police that she and DeWitt had come to Rogers' home the night before to drink and hang out. She said that at around 10 a.m., Rogers and DeWitt went out for more beer and spent the next few hours drinking. She said that both men sustained injuries to their faces from "play fighting" and that DeWitt ended up passed out in the computer room of Rogers' house.

According to the paper, Rogers testified that when he went into the computer room and told DeWitt to leave his home, DeWitt attacked him, so he retreated to another room to get his rifle. Rogers reportedly told the court that when he pointed the gun at DeWitt, his friend charged him, and Rogers felt he had to shoot.

In the initial police report, the officer who took Rogers and Robertson's statements, wrote, “I believe that the use of deadly force by Rogers was not lawful.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fla-man-who-shot-friend-gets-stand-your-ground-immunity/

I don't remember if we've talked about this case or not. They all kind of blur together after awhile.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I don't recall this being here. Discuss.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Yet another example of idiots with guns.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Legally blind, drunk, and armed. What could go wrong?

[lostinblue 1,989]

a judge ruled that Rogers acted in self-defense....A man defended himself in his home went to trial and was cleared of wrongful death. ,Nothing to see.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

a judge ruled that Rogers acted in self-defense....A man defended himself in his home went to trial and was cleared of wrongful death. ,Nothing to see.

Nothing to see except the fact that you can now kill someone as long as you leave no witnesses and simply say you felt threatened.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Nothing to see except the fact that you can now kill someone as long as you leave no witnesses and simply say you felt threatened.

I am sure the judge knows more details of the case than was reported by the news media.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I am sure the judge knows more details of the case than was reported by the news media.

What other details are necessary?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Nothing to see except the fact that you can now kill someone as long as you leave no witnesses and simply say you felt threatened.

Does this happen as frequently elsewhere or does it seem to be a Florida thing?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

The one witness even disagrees.

Rogers reportedly said DeWitt, 34, eventually rushed him after he asked him -- and his girlfriend, Christina Ann Robertson -- to depart a second time at gunpoint.

But Robertson reportedly disputed Rogers' account, telling authorities the duo had been “play fighting” -- as they were wont to do -- and Rogers shot DeWitt without ample reason.

This is also someone with a HISTORY of behavior like this.

The Sentinel cites court documents in writing the former Marine, who reportedly lost his sight in a work-related accident thirteen years ago, has a history of violence that includes firing 15 rounds from a handgun at his former roommate and cousin in 2010 after a different and unrelated night of drinking.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/01/12/blind-former-marine-acquitted-murder-charges-in-stand-your-ground-case/

Yeah, nothing to see here indeed

Does this happen as frequently elsewhere or does it seem to be a Florida thing?

Apparently it's easier to get away with in Florida.

Edited February 25, 2014 by Penny Lane

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Nothing to see except the fact that you can now kill someone as long as you leave no witnesses and simply say you felt threatened.

Exactly the problem with these sorts of laws. Unfortunately because people are given licence to keep and carry deadly weapons this sort of thing becomes inevitable.

Total fvcking morons.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Nothing to see except the fact that you can now kill someone as long as you leave no witnesses and simply say you felt threatened.

Penny lacks the clear understanding of the events pertaining to the case. But feel free to comment more. It seems the girlfriend was a witness....How could penny miss this important fact.....Just make things up as we go along. to make your point of guns out of control.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Penny lacks the clear understanding of the events pertaining to the case. But feel free to comment more. It seems the girlfriend was a witness....How could penny miss this important fact.....Just make things up as we go along. to make your point of guns out of control.

Look up, LIB.

Penny posted that the girlfriend was a witness - and that the girlfriend disagreed with the shooter's report of what happened.

How could LIB miss this important fact?

Looks like Penny isn't the one who lacks a clear understanding.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Why are we now referring to people in the third person?

[Teddy B 17,252]

Why are we now referring to people in the third person?

It's exiting and makes it feel like we have more people here.