Georgia has a so-called stand your ground law on the books that allows people to use deadly force if their lives are in danger. But John McNeil was charged anyway, nine months after the shooting. The case has since prompted calls from the NAACP and other groups for such laws to apply to all citizens, regardless of race. McNeil is black, and the man he shot was white. But white neighbors also testified about being intimidated by the man, who built their houses.Threatening one's son with a knife is a crime that the police should be allowed to handle, so is trespassing. The concept of "stand your ground" encourages people to aggressively attempt to handle these things themselves. That's where it often goes wrong.
A Georgia judge ruled last month in favor of a request to release John McNeil, who's serving a life sentence for the 2005 killing of Brian Epp, who had built what the McNeils believed was their dream home.
John McNeil, now 46, wasn't charged immediately. Police said he was defending himself, his home and his son, La'Ron, who called his father after seeing Epp in the backyard. The Cobb County prosecutor eventually pursued charges, leading to McNeil's conviction.
McNeil never denied shooting Epp. He told police in Kennesaw, Ga., that Epp was belligerent and had threatened his son with a knife just before the shooting. A witness testified that Epp came onto McNeil's driveway, ignored a warning shot and charged at McNeil, who then fired a fatal shot. McNeil's attorney says the men were so close at that point that Epp's body touched McNeil's as he fell.
The funny part is of course that in Georgia they're so racist that they charged and convicted this guy. Now they look like the redneck, hypocrites that they are.
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