Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)
 

Liberal_in_LA

(44,397 posts)
Tue Apr 22, 2014, 07:21 PM Apr 2014

Homeowner caught on tape "finishing off" teen burglars. Murder or self defense? [View all]

Byron Smith recorded the double slaying in his Little Falls basement and on the second day of his murder trial the crystal clear audio was played to a silent courtroom, except for a woman holding back sobs.

In the recording, glass can be heard breaking, movement, then two gunshots as Nick Brady, 17, groans, 'Oh.' To this, Smith responds: 'You're dead,' the Star Tribune reports.

Then the rustling of a tarpaulin can be heard and a dragging sound as Smith, breathing heavily, moves the teen into his workshop to stop his dead body staining the carpet.

In the recording, glass can be heard breaking, movement, then two gunshots as Nick Brady, 17, groans, 'Oh.' To this, Smith responds: 'You're dead,' the Star Tribune reports.

Then the rustling of a tarpaulin can be heard and a dragging sound as Smith, breathing heavily, moves the teen into his workshop to stop his dead body staining the carpet.

Moments later, jurors heard the sound of a gun reloading and deep breaths.

Then a female voice mumbles 'Nick.' It's 18-year-old Haile Kifer - Brady's cousin.

Again, gunshots ring out and then Kifer falls down the stairs.

Smith says 'Oh, sorry about that' and a terrified Kifer screams 'oh my god!'

The old man then says 'you're dying,' before shooting her again and calling her 'b****' twice.

More dragging sound is heard and then a final crack of a gun, which is where prosecutors turned off the sinister recording.

--------------------------

The killings rocked the small central Minnesota city of about 8,000 and stirred debate about how far people can go in defending their homes.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2610531/Court-hears-audio-recording-homeowner-Byron-Smith-shooting-dead-two-teens-broke-basement.html#ixzz2zfEd5XiW


50 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
cold blooded murder
47 (94%)
self defense
0 (0%)
something in between
3 (6%)
Show usernames
Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll
159 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Life, no parole, for everything after the first shot. DisgustipatedinCA Apr 2014 #1
online community - overwhelming support the homeowner Liberal_in_LA Apr 2014 #2
Of course they do. Human life isn't worth a dime anymore in this fucked up country. nomorenomore08 Apr 2014 #3
It shows that it truly isn't actually about self defense kcr Apr 2014 #51
that's because the internet is filled with old men with gun fantasies.. progressivebydesign Apr 2014 #118
Murder. XRubicon Apr 2014 #4
You're in someone's house illegally, you just might die for it. PeteSelman Apr 2014 #5
More Liberal_in_LA Apr 2014 #6
"So he placed his revolver under her chin and fired...." moriah Apr 2014 #8
he and his friends look pretty smug too during court break lunasun Apr 2014 #43
Christ. Never mind. PeteSelman Apr 2014 #81
No possession is worth anyone's life. NuclearDem Apr 2014 #18
They had stolen guns from his home in a previous burglary. Jenoch Apr 2014 #24
Shot, then FELL down the stairs. NuclearDem Apr 2014 #30
She continued down the stairs before she was shot. Jenoch Apr 2014 #39
It is a walkout basement. mn9driver Apr 2014 #49
Yes, I remembered that after I wrote that. Jenoch Apr 2014 #54
'A little nuts'? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #105
I do not agree with you if you are claiming Jenoch Apr 2014 #135
I'm not. I'm speaking of the subset Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #142
I certainly do not fantasize about that sort of thing. Jenoch Apr 2014 #143
then you wonder how much of that was even true.. based on his instability. n/t progressivebydesign Apr 2014 #124
A tough call? meanit Apr 2014 #37
Not film--audio tape. nt tblue37 Apr 2014 #87
You're right of course. PeteSelman Apr 2014 #90
Are you motherfucking kidding me? He put the gun under her chin and blew her brains out. Gravitycollapse Apr 2014 #45
Jesus H. Christ Jeff In Milwaukee Apr 2014 #52
Edit: nm chrisa Apr 2014 #116
ridiculous. progressivebydesign Apr 2014 #119
Murder. nt msanthrope Apr 2014 #7
You left this part out... BuelahWitch Apr 2014 #9
Makes no difference how many times. He was not in danger when firing the last shot. nt Logical Apr 2014 #13
that's not the issue, nobody is denying what they did was wrong, it's that there was a point where JI7 Apr 2014 #20
He put the gun under her chin and blew her brains out. That is an execution... Gravitycollapse Apr 2014 #46
"I did a good, clean finishing shot and she gave out the death twitch." herding cats Apr 2014 #58
He was not in his right mind to be sure BuelahWitch Apr 2014 #62
Lol at 64 being an "old man". ForgoTheConsequence Apr 2014 #65
His defense is not claiming dementia or any other organic brain disorder. herding cats Apr 2014 #67
Dementia at 64? Not usually! I will be 64 in tblue37 Apr 2014 #68
Scum is a very strong word. I think "asshole" is more apropos... Gravitycollapse Apr 2014 #71
According to neighbors he was constantly shooting his guns in his yard and had the cops MillennialDem Apr 2014 #75
Blame the parents. Classy. Anybody but the murderer, because it's my house. Mine, mine, Ed Suspicious Apr 2014 #83
what a sick fuck he is. n/t progressivebydesign Apr 2014 #122
Original link for those who won't click a tabloid site alp227 Apr 2014 #10
I don't know how to neatly label what happened ... 1000words Apr 2014 #11
The courts dropped the ball too BuelahWitch Apr 2014 #12
I had a state DA tell me/us hfojvt Apr 2014 #22
But posssession of a small amount of weed = "Throw away the key!" nt tblue37 Apr 2014 #85
no, that had changed too hfojvt Apr 2014 #104
He didn't even call the police. herding cats Apr 2014 #14
It's a low grade of murder on the follow up shots I think... High_Voltage Apr 2014 #147
Fucking gun nuts Ohio Joe Apr 2014 #15
Let me put it this way The Straight Story Apr 2014 #23
i'm not trying to be sanctimonious, but the difference between a gun owner and somebody like myself Ed Suspicious Apr 2014 #53
Our experiences differ perhaps The Straight Story Apr 2014 #56
" I wouldn't think twice about it." 99Forever Apr 2014 #95
Unless someone is armed, you hold them at gunpoint and call the police. progressivebydesign Apr 2014 #123
I am fsirly certain that everyone on this thread, Jenoch Apr 2014 #140
This guy thoroughly enjoyed killing these 2 burglars. meanit Apr 2014 #33
I'm no fan of burglary, but this was definitely WAY too damn far. AverageJoe90 Apr 2014 #16
why did he record it ? JI7 Apr 2014 #17
Sick, sick fucker. NuclearDem Apr 2014 #19
Yahoo News should be fucking fumigated. Filled to the brim with sociopathic cockroaches. n/t nomorenomore08 Apr 2014 #27
I'm not the misanthropic type NuclearDem Apr 2014 #35
+1 nt Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #107
These same two teens had broken into his house before. Jenoch Apr 2014 #21
sounds like murder to me. Takket Apr 2014 #25
Second degree murder or manslaughter seems the right charge. stevenleser Apr 2014 #26
2 counts first degree. Life, no parole. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #109
I don't think that is true. 1st degree murder requires prior planning and intent. stevenleser Apr 2014 #149
Moving your car away so burglars Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #152
Edited: Looks like there is a 1st degree murder trial underway. stevenleser Apr 2014 #156
He allowed his revenge fantasies to get the best of him.... hadrons Apr 2014 #28
Post removed Post removed Apr 2014 #29
What with their cold-blooded execution and what not. NuclearDem Apr 2014 #32
Yes BKH70041 Apr 2014 #34
Your post is despicable. Gravitycollapse Apr 2014 #47
You like pizza? xfundy Apr 2014 #55
Won't be long now. Orrex Apr 2014 #63
This man, deathrind Apr 2014 #31
Why is the DailyMail legit in this story, but not legit in the Oprah story? BKH70041 Apr 2014 #36
the Daily Mail is a tabloid rag TorchTheWitch Apr 2014 #60
If intruders break into your home, there is nothing wrong with waiting for them ... spin Apr 2014 #38
Some of the roundabout meanit Apr 2014 #40
I think Spin in #38 has the best outlook, esp. the recommendation Eleanors38 Apr 2014 #69
This tape will convict him. mn9driver Apr 2014 #41
Don't count on it... CANDO Apr 2014 #113
WTF with the 2% CincyDem Apr 2014 #42
People do sometimes think differently from "the pack."n/t BuelahWitch Apr 2014 #59
This message was self-deleted by its author darkangel218 Apr 2014 #77
This message was self-deleted by its author darkangel218 Apr 2014 #77
Fair enough. But how is not murder when the guy shot the teens MULTIPLE times?? darkangel218 Apr 2014 #79
I have the suspicion that Beulah is the 1 person who voted Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #110
No question it is murder, just the degree. I argue 2nd degree murder or manslaughter. stevenleser Apr 2014 #150
This message was self-deleted by its author darkangel218 Apr 2014 #153
I have zero problem with shooting home invaders. Zero. linuxman Apr 2014 #44
I think you summed it up quite nicely Egnever Apr 2014 #50
Shooting once to maim a person is self defense. Vashta Nerada Apr 2014 #48
Stated perfectly. Yet some *willfully* won't see the distinction. n/t nomorenomore08 Apr 2014 #57
Some will go to any lengths meanit Apr 2014 #98
+1 LittleBlue Apr 2014 #66
By his own admission, he fired "more shots than I needed to." flvegan Apr 2014 #61
This message was self-deleted by its author Aerows Apr 2014 #64
He taped (audio) the shootings and his comments, and then told the cops all about tblue37 Apr 2014 #86
the law defines self-defense as the use of force TorchTheWitch Apr 2014 #70
Lesson? If you don't want to die breaking into someone's home, Skip Intro Apr 2014 #72
Armed or not, do you deliver a coup de grace to someone already shot 3 times, twice in the head? MillennialDem Apr 2014 #74
I doubt it. But the guy was in his house, they broke in. They instigated the situation. Skip Intro Apr 2014 #76
I'm no fan of drug addicts (have a family member who is one - he is a POS) but your logic is a MillennialDem Apr 2014 #80
I'm not going to be worried about the invader's safety. I'm going to view him (or her) Skip Intro Apr 2014 #82
There's no sanctimonious lesson here. Feral Child Apr 2014 #93
But when thy cease to be a mortal threat, as in death rattling on the floor. SQUEE Apr 2014 #94
Very few people dispute the fact that you have the right to shoot, stab, club, or MillennialDem Apr 2014 #96
you're always lecturing me about people not liking what i post CreekDog Apr 2014 #148
There is no "but" friend tkmorris Apr 2014 #103
Which is no more nor no less a relevant lesson than "if you don't want to die in a car accident..." LanternWaste Apr 2014 #128
I wonder how many people would have defended the homeowner if instead of MillennialDem Apr 2014 #137
Your analogy does not work. Jenoch Apr 2014 #144
Totally unreasonable: some thoughts MillennialDem Apr 2014 #73
If somebody breaks into my house, the first thing I'm going to do is find a way to get out of the Ed Suspicious Apr 2014 #84
+1. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #112
"Finishing them off" sounds like all the fight was gone Warpy Apr 2014 #88
2nd degree murder is too soft. joshcryer Apr 2014 #89
Manslaughter, I dont think you have murder here Brown Coat Apr 2014 #91
Really.... meanit Apr 2014 #100
Someone breaks into my house, I will protect my family. What Bryon did was sick B Calm Apr 2014 #92
I never vote on polls about ongoing criminal cases. MineralMan Apr 2014 #97
Some what similar to the Jerome Ersland case. CBGLuthier Apr 2014 #99
Once you have them under your gun, meanit Apr 2014 #101
Good call. I mean, is it that unreasonable or unsafe for the homeowner to say I have you in Ed Suspicious Apr 2014 #108
This reminds me of the I think NC case.. Jesus Malverde Apr 2014 #102
a lil different because they were lawfully on their own land Liberal_in_LA Apr 2014 #157
Agreed, I guess I was thinking of the no warning before you kill someone Jesus Malverde Apr 2014 #159
he parked his truck at the neighbors riverwalker Apr 2014 #106
Yep. He stopped the threat. SevenSixtyTwo Apr 2014 #111
Murder Lurks Often Apr 2014 #114
On what planet is this self-defense? He fired execution shots. chrisa Apr 2014 #115
Cold blooded murder. Period. progressivebydesign Apr 2014 #117
I have some very mixed emotions on this topic. hamsterjill Apr 2014 #120
dumb kids. but dumb shouldn't mean dead. too bad they broke into a pschopath's house. dionysus Apr 2014 #121
The mentally ill (drug addicts) met the mentally ill (sociopath) with predictable results MillennialDem Apr 2014 #126
That kinda nails it Bragi Apr 2014 #132
I kind of disagree that jails are a bad plan for addicts MillennialDem Apr 2014 #133
Sorry about your brother Bragi Apr 2014 #138
Thanks re: my brother. Also MillennialDem Apr 2014 #139
Another part of that great Reagan legacy! Lizzie Poppet Apr 2014 #134
I am thankful I barely even remember Reagan (I was born right before he was sworn in), but MillennialDem Apr 2014 #136
It's certainly murder. Is Fox News to blame? Bragi Apr 2014 #125
Guns are toys for childish men randys1 Apr 2014 #127
Yep, I've noticed a lot of pro second amendment men defend it because guns are MillennialDem Apr 2014 #131
What are you doing to attain your lofty goal, Jenoch Apr 2014 #145
Far better plan: MillennialDem Apr 2014 #129
Clearly murder. Lizzie Poppet Apr 2014 #130
Executing the teens went too far. HooptieWagon Apr 2014 #141
I have no issue with his initial self defense, it's the execution that is the problem. dilby Apr 2014 #146
agreed. he's guilty of murder. but i am not for death penalty Liberal_in_LA Apr 2014 #158
Thinking about their parents ... Bethany Rockafella Apr 2014 #151
Yeah, if I were one of their parents, that guy's best option would be incarceration... stevenleser Apr 2014 #154
Cold-blooded murder...hope the guy is locked up for a good long time... joeybee12 Apr 2014 #155
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Homeowner caught on tape ...