Both sides rest in Houston stand your ground trial

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Both sides rest in Houston stand your ground trial

By JUAN A. LOZANO, Associated Press – 4 hours ago

HOUSTON (AP) — Attorneys for a Texas man who argued the state's version of a stand-your-ground law allowed him to fatally shoot a neighbor after a verbal confrontation about a 2010 party rested their case Tuesday without calling any witnesses.

Jurors are expected to begin deliberating Raul Rodriguez's fate after closing arguments Tuesday afternoon. He faces up to life in prison if convicted of murder.

Prosecutors painted Rodriguez, 47, as the aggressor, saying he took a gun, and a video camera, to complain about Kelly Danaher's party and was looking to get into a fight.

Rodriguez's attorneys claim the retired Houston-area firefighter shot Danaher, a 36-year-old elementary school physical education teacher, in self-defense after someone lunged at him. Rodriguez, who videotaped the incident, can be heard on the recording claiming he feared for his life and saying "I'm standing my ground here."

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Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gzUdfO5rVo8BMPCpfgPnMn3qrU-g?docId=e38cbcaf286949899a57bfe2a0d00beb

[Xipe Totec]

1. Somebody is about to get a very expensive lesson in how to interpret the law

Hint: Consult a lawyer first, not after....

[teddy51]

2. Having watched the video, this guy is absolutely guilty of 2nd degree at best case.

He knew what he was doing when he took the gun and the video camera down the street. Certainly hope that the jury comes to a guilty conclusion.

Sad part is, another victim had to lose their life over this stupid F***ing law that should be gotten rid of ASAP in all States.