Ralph Yarl, 17, filed a civil suit in Clay County Court seeking monetary damages from Andrew “Dan” Lester, along with Lester’s homeowners’ association. The HOA failed to take precautions about a “potentially dangerous individual,” the lawsuit says.
According to the law, it is. (Even without castle doctrine a random stranger trying to gain entry into your house is usually grounds for self defense).
If the kid didn’t open the door, then I agree with you. But even the kid admitted to at least grabbing the handle of the door. I’d personally never do that at stranger’s or even an acquaintance’s house.
From a moral standpoint, please don’t try to walk into stranger’s houses uninvited.
They could be liable if, and only if they are proven to be be aware (or willfully ignorant) that the man’s general conduct/demeanor would indicate a proclivity to violence rather than him just being crotchety. Unfortunately, things like that can be hard to prove as they can require a lot of digging.
To me the key point was did the kid open the door? I’ve seen conflicting reports about it.
Also, I hate HOAs as much as anyone, but I have no idea how they are involved in this one.
He was shot through the glass storm door, which would have been outside the front door.
Perp opened the front door, saw the kid through the glass and shot him.
Not to mention, it’s incredibly common to open a storm door to knock. Even if he had opened it, that doesn’t show any ill intent.
This is why the Castle Doctrine is bullshit. Who the fuck cares if the kid opened the door? That’s not justification enough to shoot him.
According to the law, it is. (Even without castle doctrine a random stranger trying to gain entry into your house is usually grounds for self defense).
If the kid didn’t open the door, then I agree with you. But even the kid admitted to at least grabbing the handle of the door. I’d personally never do that at stranger’s or even an acquaintance’s house.
From a moral standpoint, please don’t try to walk into stranger’s houses uninvited.
From a moral standpoint, don’t try to kill someone for opening a door.
They could be liable if, and only if they are proven to be be aware (or willfully ignorant) that the man’s general conduct/demeanor would indicate a proclivity to violence rather than him just being crotchety. Unfortunately, things like that can be hard to prove as they can require a lot of digging.