Detroit Man Convicted of Murder: Is the Verdict Just?

He faces life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The suburban Detroit homeowner who shot and killed an unarmed woman on his porch was found guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter on Thursday.

Theodore Wafer, 55, admitted to shooting Renisha McBride, 19, in the face when she appeared at his doorstep just before dawn on Nov. 2. He claimed it was self-defense.

The airport maintenance employee, who had been free on bond, was ordered to jail to await his sentencing on Aug. 21. He faces life in prison with the possibility of parole, but it's likely his actual sentence will be much shorter.

Comments

[ammayhem]

Firearms 101: You do not shoot anyone unless you're life is in immediate danger from an attacker.

Was his life in immediate danger? Doesn't sound like it to me.

[Ichabod]

It's usually a subjective test: whether or not it was reasonable to believe his life was in danger.

Irrational beliefs are not exculpatory, but rational ones are, irrespective of the presence of actual danger.

[Geoff Nathan]

I read some of the testimony and it sounds like he panicked. 'Couldn't find his cellphone, so he reached into the closet for his shotgun'.
Give me a break.
Also, 'didn't know it was loaded', but then 'accidentally pulled the trigger'.
Gives 'self-defense' a bad name.

[Stephdumas]

There a good thread about it on DetroitYes forum
http://www.detroityes.com/mb/s.....-of-Murder
As a poster nicknamed bailey said and I quote:"It's been interesting watching the news about this from out of town. Just getting the blurb on NBC, CNN...etc. The national people SOOOOO want this to be Travon II. The disappointment in how quickly and relatively quietly this went is almost palpable. I suppose they'll get another chance to crank up the outrage come sentencing..."

Also I saw this rant as well
http://legalinsurrection.com/2.....der-trial/