• prayer@sh.itjust.works
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        10 months ago

        A famous legal case defining what is and isn’t allowed for defense of property, specifically about lethal booby traps to stop trespassing. It basically says that you can’t use lethal force to defend property using booby traps as they are indiscriminate and therefore cannot determine if certain criteria (i.e. reasonable fear for your life) are met.

        • mindbleach@sh.itjust.works
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          10 months ago

          … because Katko used a mousetrap and a shotgun shell to blow a dude’s leg off. Over some antique jars.

          It’s one of those cases where the jury immediately knows a line has been crossed and just needs to hash out how far back.

    • mindbleach@sh.itjust.works
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      10 months ago

      On reflection, the real question is whether you’re home at the time, since that makes it the castle doctrine instead of “defense of property.” At which point you’re free to go full Home Alone a la Last Crusade. The penitent doorkicker kneels! bzzZZZzzzt