I came up with this idea not to long ago but here is the basis of it. I will post a story probably every day and let people here debate if that person should be innocent or guilty. The story could be real or fake but I won't tell you. If you have a story that you want debated, comment my profile so I can find it easier. This thread is just to get people thinking about justice. All stories will be posted in this thread. If you need help finding it, just ask what page it is on. Here is the first story...
A man was walking on a woman's porch holding a knife. He has not entered the home. She notices him and looks out the window. He holds the knife out and laughs. The woman becomes scared and releases her pit bull outside. She calls the police and they arrive 10 minutes later. However, before they arrive, the dog attacks the man and he receives serious wounds. Now we are in the court room. The man says he thought he was at his friend's home. He says that his friend left the knife at his house and was returning it. The man meant no harm to the woman and demands that she pay his medical bills for the dog bites. So, we have a woman who believes it was self defense to let the dog go. She thought he would hurt her and trespassing so she thinks he should be put in jail. She also says she does not have to pay the medical bills. He believes the dog should be put down and the woman pay his medical bills. Who is right and who is wrong? You be the judge.
Remember, you are debating what you think should be done to the man and woman. There really is no right and wrong answer. It is how you feel justice should be carried out.
Depending on if the man is lying or not, He would probably be charged with public intoxication, and carrying a dangerous weapon, depending on how large the knife is. The woman might be charged with assault, and have her dog put to sleep. It all depends on the evidence that they find, among other things. I would have the man take a drug/alcohol test. The woman's dog would probably be put to sleep anyway. It is illegal to have your dog attack someone.
If a guy was standing outside my house with a knife and laughing, I would send my dog after him (if I had a dog) and call the police. In this case, the woman is completely right and should not have to pay medical bills. The dog stays alive.
Remember, you can't be sure if he is lying or not. Try to go with your gut instinct on what you would do. It is fine to mention what you would do if he was lying but state what you would most likely do if you were the judge.
You need to understand the difference between a steak knife and a butter knife. If a guy was standing outside on my porch laughing with a butter knife, I would probably just tell him to leave, and if he doesn't, I would bring out a bigger knife.
If it was like some kind of horror movie butcher knife, I would definitely call the cops, lock my doors, and watch this maniac.
I would definitely call the cops, lock my doors, and watch this maniac.
So, do you think the woman was wrong to release the dog? This is why I posted this story. Do you think she could have been safe if she had just waited for the cops to arrive?
She felt he was a direct threat, thus releasing the dog is okay. Now if someone was walking back and forth in front of her house, releasing the dog would be wrong, as he poses no real threat at the moment. But the second the man walks toward the house or pulls out a weapon, it's fair game.
This type of question really depends on the state, I think. There was a case in Alabama where a guy shot this dude in the back with a shotgun because he was near his shed, and it didn't even make it past a grand jury! The "intruder" turned out to be like a hobo or something who was unarmed and just looking for somewhere to sleep. I feel like issues of morality might enter into these questions instead of the legal precedence, but morality in most of these cases isn't really applicable (in my opinion).
@ Total, She overreacted when she released her dog, and the dog is going to be put down no matter what. The man could not have done anything had the woman locked her doors.
This type of question really depends on the state, I think.
Hm, good point. This was the first story so it wasn't going to be the greatest. I will post some state laws for the next story to make it easier to debate on.
Well, innocent until proven guilty, the man is innocent. So is the lady. The Pit Bull is to blame. Also, Timegoesby, there isn't a law that states that, but is one similar. It says simply, that if you have a valid reason to fear for your life or that of your family's, then you have the right to attack. Id est: A man was caught siphoning gas from a man's truck in the middle of the night by the father of the household. So, the man took his .45 caliber pistol and shot through a his cracked open front door, and shot him square in the head from 60 yards away. Presumably, the man siphoning gas died. The owner of the truck and house went to court with the other man's lawyer and family. The owner of the truck said that he feared for his life and that of his family because he got into the gas tank of his truck which has a garage door opener in it. Using that, he could get inside and kill him and his family. That man won and paid no fines, had no time in jail, and got his gasoline back.
Here is today's story. You have to try to determine if he should be put in jail and if so, how long, and if there should be any fines. I will post the state laws below the story. Here it is...
A 56 year old man has been arrested after shooting his lawn mower because it wouldn't start. The man, who lives in Wisconsin, told the police, "It's my lawn mower and my yard, so I can shoot it if I want." Police arrested him for possession of a shotgun and disorderly conduct. The man pleads to you (the judge) and says, "I got pised because my lawn mower wouldn't start so I got my shotgun and shot it." Should this man be put in jail? If so, for how long? Also, should there be any fines he has to pay? You be the judge.
Wisconsin law states that you don't need a permit to buy or carry a shotgun.
I will post what actually happened tomorrow. Try to be as fair as possible with the justice system. Good luck.
No, he shouldn't be put in jail. He didn't break the law in any way. It's his lawn mower and his yard he has the right to shoot his mower. Though I might take away his gun just incase.
