More Texas lulz

Homeslice · 06-06-2013, 03:35 PM

A Bexar County jury on Wednesday acquitted Ezekiel Gilbert of murder in the death of a 23-year-old Craigslist escort.

Gilbert, 30, embraced defense attorneys Bobby Barrera and Roy Barrera Sr. with tears in his eyes after the not guilty verdict was read aloud by state District Judge Mary Román.

Outside the courtroom, Gilbert thanked God, the Barrera family and the jury for being able to “see what wasn't the truth” and for the “second chance.”

Had he been convicted, he could have faced up to life in prison for the slaying of Lenora Ivie Frago who died about seven months after she was shot in the neck and paralyzed on Christmas Eve 2009. Gilbert admitted shooting Frago.

“I sincerely regret the loss of the life of Ms. Frago,” Gilbert said Wednesday. “I've been in a mental prison the past four years of my life. I have nightmares. If I see guns on TV where people are getting killed, I change the channel.”

The verdict came after almost 11 hours of deliberations that stretched over two days. The trial began May 17 but had a long hiatus after a juror unexpectedly had to leave town for a funeral.

During closing arguments Tuesday, Gilbert's defense team conceded the shooting did occur but said the intent wasn't to kill. Gilbert's actions were justified, they argued, because he was trying to retrieve stolen property: the $150 he paid Frago. It became theft when she refused to have sex with him or give the money back, they said.

Gilbert testified earlier Tuesday that he had found Frago's escort ad on Craigslist and believed sex was included in her $150 fee. But instead, Frago walked around his apartment and after about 20 minutes left, saying she had to give the money to her driver, he said.

That driver, the defense contended, was Frago's pimp and her partner in the theft scheme.

The Texas law that allows people to use deadly force to recover property during a nighttime theft was put in place for “law-abiding” citizens, prosecutors Matt Lovell and Jessica Schulze countered. It's not intended for someone trying to force another person into an illegal act such as prostitution, they argued.

mmondo@express-news.net

speshek@express-news.net

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/loc...#ixzz2VSk41Qaq

goof2 · 06-07-2013, 12:43 AM

I don't know but this doesn't sound right. Maybe he was acquitted because of the deadly force law, but his lawyers were arguing both the deadly force law and a lack of intent. It wouldn't surprise me if the real issue was prosecutorial overreach. If they only charged him with murder (requires intent) but not manslaughter (doesn't require intent) and the jury wasn't convinced there was intent then according to the law he should have been acquitted and the deadly force law wouldn't come in to play at all. I'm just guessing but I think it is easily possible with as little as reporters today know about anything.

Particle Man · 06-07-2013, 07:26 AM

Alrighty then...

EpyonXero · 06-07-2013, 02:58 PM

Sounds like Texas alright.

azoomm · 06-08-2013, 10:46 AM

And, the funny thing, if he would have used a knife he would have gotten the chair.

Rangerscott · 06-09-2013, 12:13 AM

Stupid jury verdicts happen every where.

Homeslice · 06-09-2013, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rangerscott

Stupid jury verdicts happen every where.

It's the stupid law I have a problem with.

If cops aren't allowed to shoot fleeing thieves, then citizens shouldn't be allowed to either.

RACER X · 06-11-2013, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

It's the stupid law I have a problem with.

If cops aren't allowed to shoot fleeing thieves, then citizens shouldn't be allowed to either.

BS, in Tx if a thief has something, and you're not going to be able to retrieve it, you can shoot them. Now it better be worth it, cuz even legally shooting people is not cheap.

fuk thieves, go get a job a earn your own chit or what if stolen item was some family heirloom that's irreplaceable ? Just cuz you hold a thiefs life in high regard didn't mean i have too.

cops don't have anything of their own to lose in that sit.

EpyonXero · 06-12-2013, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACER X

Just cuz you hold a thiefs life in high regard didn't mean i have too.

This is what it comes down to and why some people see this as approrpiate and others wonder how this can be legal in America. Its interesting to see how big a gap there is even within one country.

Rangerscott · 06-10-2013, 11:31 PM

I'd rather have more freedom than cops.

06-06-2013, 03:35 PM	#1
Homeslice Elitist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Moto: Gix 750 Posts: 11,351	More Texas lulz A Bexar County jury on Wednesday acquitted Ezekiel Gilbert of murder in the death of a 23-year-old Craigslist escort. Gilbert, 30, embraced defense attorneys Bobby Barrera and Roy Barrera Sr. with tears in his eyes after the not guilty verdict was read aloud by state District Judge Mary Román. Outside the courtroom, Gilbert thanked God, the Barrera family and the jury for being able to “see what wasn't the truth” and for the “second chance.” Had he been convicted, he could have faced up to life in prison for the slaying of Lenora Ivie Frago who died about seven months after she was shot in the neck and paralyzed on Christmas Eve 2009. Gilbert admitted shooting Frago. “I sincerely regret the loss of the life of Ms. Frago,” Gilbert said Wednesday. “I've been in a mental prison the past four years of my life. I have nightmares. If I see guns on TV where people are getting killed, I change the channel.” The verdict came after almost 11 hours of deliberations that stretched over two days. The trial began May 17 but had a long hiatus after a juror unexpectedly had to leave town for a funeral. During closing arguments Tuesday, Gilbert's defense team conceded the shooting did occur but said the intent wasn't to kill. Gilbert's actions were justified, they argued, because he was trying to retrieve stolen property: the $150 he paid Frago. It became theft when she refused to have sex with him or give the money back, they said. Gilbert testified earlier Tuesday that he had found Frago's escort ad on Craigslist and believed sex was included in her $150 fee. But instead, Frago walked around his apartment and after about 20 minutes left, saying she had to give the money to her driver, he said. That driver, the defense contended, was Frago's pimp and her partner in the theft scheme. The Texas law that allows people to use deadly force to recover property during a nighttime theft was put in place for “law-abiding” citizens, prosecutors Matt Lovell and Jessica Schulze countered. It's not intended for someone trying to force another person into an illegal act such as prostitution, they argued. mmondo@express-news.net speshek@express-news.net Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/loc...#ixzz2VSk41Qaq

06-07-2013, 07:26 AM	#3
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	Alrighty then... __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

06-07-2013, 02:58 PM	#4
EpyonXero AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redneck Riviera, FL Moto: 2003 VFR800f6 Posts: 2,531	Sounds like Texas alright. __________________

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06-07-2013, 12:43 AM	#2
goof2 AMA Supersport Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4,756	I don't know but this doesn't sound right. Maybe he was acquitted because of the deadly force law, but his lawyers were arguing both the deadly force law and a lack of intent. It wouldn't surprise me if the real issue was prosecutorial overreach. If they only charged him with murder (requires intent) but not manslaughter (doesn't require intent) and the jury wasn't convinced there was intent then according to the law he should have been acquitted and the deadly force law wouldn't come in to play at all. I'm just guessing but I think it is easily possible with as little as reporters today know about anything.

06-08-2013, 10:46 AM	#5
azoomm moderator chick Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hill Country TX Moto: Pasta Rockets Posts: 8,917	And, the funny thing, if he would have used a knife he would have gotten the chair.

06-09-2013, 12:13 AM	#6
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	Stupid jury verdicts happen every where.

06-10-2013, 11:31 PM	#10
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	I'd rather have more freedom than cops.