Off-Duty Trooper Fires at Unarmed Teens, Manhunt Ensues

[PawPaw]

So both sides agree that the trio were knocking on the door, but somehow this guy suspects them of being burglars?

And from what I read, the trooper made no claim that they tried to force entry, only (loud?) knocking on his door.

Yeah, precursor to a burglary. Knock loudly, ring the bell. Wait a few minutes. If no one answers the door, the house is empty. Go on in. Fairly standard procedure.

The difference between a burglary and a home invasion? The guy's a sound sleeper and wakes up after the burglars are in the house.

Again, I'm not defending the troopers actions after he chased them off. But, the kids explanation makes my bullshit detector go on overload. And, papers don't always report all the news.

[randy]

So both sides agree that the trio were knocking on the door, but somehow this guy suspects them of being burglars?

And from what I read, the trooper made no claim that they tried to force entry, only (loud?) knocking on his door.

Yeah, precursor to a burglary. Knock loudly, ring the bell. Wait a few minutes. If no one answers the door, the house is empty. Go on in. Fairly standard procedure.

Thanks PawPaw

[randy]

If these three young men can't tell the difference (an hour or so after midnight) between a place that's having a party and a place that ain't having a party then they had no business knocking on any door.

From the article:

after leaving a graduation party, attempted to go to a friend’s house nearby.

From that, sounds like they had left the party, not out looking for one.

[JAG2955]

It all sounds super shady.

But I don't think that anything that they did warranted deadly force, no matter what state they're in.

[Greg]

And, papers don't always report all the news.

National news? No.

Local news, of that magnitude, not in the local paper? No chance it wouldn't get mentioned somewhere. And until 2 weeks ago I worked with a guy who lived in that town.

I think we can fairly well rule out 'string of home invasions'. String of burglaries/petty thefts/cars broken into is still on the table, but knowing the area at least a little makes me consider them less likely.

As to whether or not the fellow had a pent-up personal beef with the neighbors, well we'll see.

Traditionally in NJ, state troopers could pretty much do whatever they wanted with impunity, so long as they weren't *too* blatant.

[PawPaw]

Traditionally in NJ, state troopers could pretty much do whatever they wanted with impunity, so long as they weren't *too* blatant.

That's pretty much the case too, here in Louisiana. It's the old "prince of the kingdom" theory, where dickheads get away with stuff that would put us in jail. Historically, guys who had their time in were allowed to retire rather than be prosecuted.

We've got one, hereabouts, who was allowed to retire rather than be arrested. The problem is that he laid low for ten years, till all the old-timers had retired. Now he's Chief Deputy of a parish Sheriff's office. All us old-timers know him to he a cheat, a thief, and a liar, yet he is officially a "retired" state trooper. It makes my blood boil.

[rightisright]

I know the area quite well; I grew up in the town directly to the south of Sparta. Like Greg said, it's a nice upper middle class town. One of my best friends lives less than a mile from where this took place. He's quite the man-about-town (if that can be said of a small 'burb like Sparta) and knows a lot of the police, but he's away on vacation. I'll cajole him for the skinny when he gets back.

Knowing NJ and the Staties, I would wager after they investigate themselves, no charges are filed against the Trooper, the families sue and win in civil court and the taxpayer foots the bill.

[skb12172]

At least these guys are alive to collect. Very telling, isn't it, that they haven't even been charged with bullshit charges meant to complicate and intimidate.

[Aesop]

This is where judicious use of making a homeowner's life a living hell is appropriate, and demanded by circumstance.

A mere 2AM doorknock does not equal grounds for homicide, unless you were using a sledgehammer, with intent.

But 2AM is about the nadir of daily IQ all around.

[HTRN]

Sparta is, as far as NJ is concerned "the boonies" - go look at it on a map. unless you go down to the pinebarrens, you're not going to ger much more rural than there.

My money is, that this probably isn't a home invasion, but a typical overreaction by NJ Staties. Until the press takes a seirous interest in him(like the Statey that caused a car acccident while driving tht then governor), he can pretty much do what he wants with little to fear.