Texas man kills man who allegedly sexually molested his daughter

[Torrasque]

Rather than summarize the articles I have read, I'll just give them to you:
<url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/326581>Here's the original one I read, and <url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/11/father-kills-man-who-sexually-abused-daughter-texas_n_1587724.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular>here is Huffingtonpost. Oh, and <url=http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2012/jun/09/jp_homicide_060912_179037/?counties&police-courts>here is another source just because why not.

Lets try to avoid "of course that would happen in Texas/America", and focus on two things:
1. This guy killed another person and is not being charged (for now at least)
2. He did not mean to kill the guy, he was just protecting his daughter

So my fellow Escapists, what is your opinion of this?
Should he be charged? Was his response reasonable?

Here is a very important bit to pay attention to:
<quote=Huffington>The father was reportedly "very remorseful" about the death and did not know the alleged abuser would die of his injuries.

Edit: It seems I was late in posting this (and wasn't thorough with my forum search to see if someone had already posted it) and this discussion is already going on in this thread: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/528.378346-Father-kills-man-sexually-abusing-his-daughter

 

[Zydrate]

Good.

I think I've posted before that I support the Death Penalty to a heavily regulated extent.

Seriously, why would someone mourn such a creature?

 

[Torrasque]

If anyone is interested there already an ongoing discussion on this very subject in R&P- http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/528.378346-Father-kills-man-sexually-abusing-his-daughter

OT- As far as the evidence goes his response was reasonable and he should not be charged.

Damnit, I checked to see if anyone had posted before me, but couldn't find anything =/
I hate when someone posts something before I do. Not because they are ninja'ing a topic from me, but because I hate making repeat topics, lol.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

It's probably not the "right" thing to do, but if I caught someone interfering with either of my daughters I'd hospitalize them without a second thought. Mothers have a maternal instinct and fathers have a paternal instinct, which is less documented. I read a book called "The Brain That Changes Itself" (which I highly recommend) that said that when a father looks at his own child a chemical is released in his brain that simply does not occur in males who aren't fathers. It's a biological imperative to make sure that his bloodline survives. Therefore I think it is "reasonable" to expect that if a father thinks his child is in danger he will do everything he can to eliminate that source of danger.
The law itself has provisions that differentiate between someone killing another person in "the spur of the moment" as opposed to someone who actively plans the death of another person (manslaughter v murder).

 

[johnnybravo]

I am actually glad to see that there have been no charges yet, and I hope there wont be any. I believe I would have taken the same action had I been in that situation. Good for him.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

Seriously, why would someone mourn such a creature?

Maybe because of the unfortunate reality that the man couldn't conquer his demons and keep his issues under control? Maybe the fact that even if the guy tried to get help, he'd most likely be laughed away and shunned. Maybe because in the end, he is still someones family or their friend, and ultimately a human being?

I don't condemn the father at all, in fact I think he should receive no punishment for the defence of his child (a right all parents should have), but that doesn't mean the abuser is some soulless hellspawn creature with the only purpose to inflict suffering in this world.

 

[Griffolion]

Well, I don't know if you can really argue with a father's reaction in that situation. To be honest, I would probably do the same thing to protect my daughter.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Seriously, why would someone mourn such a creature?

Maybe because of the unfortunate reality that the man couldn't conquer his demons and keep his issues under control? Maybe the fact that even if the guy tried to get help, he'd most likely be laughed away and shunned. Maybe because in the end, he is still someones family or their friend, and ultimately a human being?

I don't condemn the father at all, in fact I think he should receive no punishment for the defence of his child (a right all parents should have), but that doesn't mean the abuser is some soulless hellspawn creature with the only purpose to inflict suffering in this world.

Totally agree.

On some level, society had failed this man, he didn't get the help he needed to overcome his problem.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

On some level, society had failed this man, he didn't get the help he needed to overcome his problem.

Indeed. I said in the other thread that it was a sad case all around, for all three individuals involved. It certainly isn't as black and white as most people would like to believe. Either out of sheer ignorance or simple denial.

 

[StormShaun]

Why don't people remember that killing makes more killing and suffering?

Why must us humans be so dumb to not be able to forgive one another rather then driving a dagger into the persons back?

Well, if we weren't stupid in the first place to invent killing in the first place I'm sure the world would be a different place.

Even I have to admit as a fellow human that we are dumb for not learning these things.

But I guess it is human nature to do this. People go crazy and lose control over the darker side of themselves which relate to the beginning of time when we first did this and yadadada.

But I still think killing is the worst path to go down. I mean sure...break a couple of legs but don't kill him. It just makes life worse.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

On some level, society had failed this man, he didn't get the help he needed to overcome his problem.

Indeed. I said in the other thread that it was a sad case all around, for all three individuals involved. It certainly isn't as black and white as most people would like to believe. Either out of sheer ignorance or simple denial.

People are very quick to abhor those who have committed such crimes without a thought as to why, beyond the standard hyperbolic 'soulless monster' schtick.

It's up to us, the thinkers, to question why.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

It's up to us, the thinkers, to question why.

Yes, and it is up to thinkers to find a way to overcome the problem. If people who have these sorts of mental problems could easily go to a dedicated station or medical facility, and get the help they need without it becoming some kind of massive outcry or outright rejection, then shit like this may just happen less, because said people won't need to keep their issues locked up inside their heads and try to overcome it themselves - a sure fire way to failing.

 

[WanderingFool]

Seriously, why would someone mourn such a creature?

Maybe because of the unfortunate reality that the man couldn't conquer his demons and keep his issues under control? Maybe the fact that even if the guy tried to get help, he'd most likely be laughed away and shunned. Maybe because in the end, he is still someones family or their friend, and ultimately a human being?

I don't condemn the father at all, in fact I think he should receive no punishment for the defence of his child (a right all parents should have), but that doesn't mean the abuser is some soulless hellspawn creature with the only purpose to inflict suffering in this world.

This.

As much as I understand what the father did (When it looked like I was going to be a dad I became a very different, much more protective person) I will defend the right of a sex offender to not be killed for who they are.

Yeah, its grim, its bad, their actions are not by any stretch of the imagination ok. But, with many people, they should not be treated as monsters, they are just the way they are. They should be able to get help, first and foremost. I am against the death penalty on moral grounds (I do not think anyone has the right to make the judgement that another human should no longer live) but I am ok with situations like this, a father defending their child or accidentally killing someone in a blind rage because of their actions.

I know if someone had attempted to hurt my ex-fiance whilst she was with child I would have stopped them by any means necessary. Hell, I almost assaulted a cop once because I believed he was overstepping his mark.

I am very conflicted, as should be rather evident.

State sponsored murder is not ok. But a man or woman should always have the right to defend their family and home. Within reason.

There was a case in the UK of someone shooting (You can own guns in the UK, lots of people forget this) a thief in the back. The guy was trying to run away. The man in question was done for murder. I am all for that conviction.

Yet an old woman was successfully charged with assault for breaking someones hand with a hammer because he was trying to unlatch her door (She had left the chain on) and I am against that.

Man, I am getting off topic.

I do not condemn what this man did. But I do not think that all sex offenders are horrible people who should be lynched. In my eyes they are people who need help, all crimes are a product of society on some level, any death is regrettable.

Well, I have a very low opinion of sex offenders. After reading this post, it doesnt do much to change my opinion, but it does remind me that they are still human. So thanks for the reminder.

 

[Matt King]

well if it was in the defence of his daughter, i don't think he should face too severe charges
i'm sure the family is in damaged enough with what happened to the daughter and taking away the father would probably destroy them

 

[Guffe]

Well that sucks.
The dad protects his child, kills a man, we got two people being illegal here.
I hope the dad won't be punished but I know were I live he would, that's the law.
Also wondering if this man who got killed (the abuser) had tried to get any help, if he had and didn't get then he can't be fully blaimed either.
Hate cases like these.

 

[Paladin Anderson]

On some level, society had failed this man, he didn't get the help he needed to overcome his problem.

Indeed. I said in the other thread that it was a sad case all around, for all three individuals involved. It certainly isn't as black and white as most people would like to believe. Either out of sheer ignorance or simple denial.

People are very quick to abhor those who have committed such crimes without a thought as to why, beyond the standard hyperbolic 'soulless monster' shtick.

It's up to us, the thinkers, to question why.

I know this man probably wasn't the soulless monster we'd like to think he is. But this "Society is to blame" stuff has never sat well with me. He did it. HE did it. Not him and his neighbors. It wasn't a group project. They didn't put out ads in the news paper asking the community to come lend a hand. This society is partially to blame stuff has always seemed extremely coddling to me as if this person is a victim as well. He had freedom of choice.

He could

a: Seek help
b: NOT follow that perverse urge to touch the girl
c: Violate her in ways that will haunt her for the rest of her life.

He choose C. And no one is to blame for that but himself. Our society isn't perfect but this man is NOT a victim. If he had done it out in the open and people ignored the girl's screaming, then yeah I'd join you blaming society.