Posted by Ender on 02/11/09
Last updated 02/11/09

Posted: Feb 10, 2009 11:45 PM

Updated: Feb 10, 2009 11:51 PM

Link to original article (includes video)

By Scott Reynolds - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - A fatal shooting over the weekend in Louisville has resulted in a murder charge that may be unlike any you have seen in Kentucky. Police say the homeowner who pulled the trigger acted in self-defense and is not being charged. Instead, one of three suspects who broke in is now facing the murder charge.

Children played in the 1700 block of West Oak Street Sunday in front of a home where Louisville Metro Police investigated the shooting death of James Wood, Senior. Police say Wood and his two sons broke into the home. The homeowner fatally shot the father, but now one of the sons that faces a murder rap.

"In a situation where individuals are involved in a felonious act of some type and an individual is murdered or killed, they can also be charged with that murder," said Lt. Barry Wilkerson, commander of the LMPD Homicide unit.

A Kentucky Supreme Court ruling allows the murder charge because the break-in led to the shooting death, even if the suspects did not pull the trigger.

"I haven't had one of these in over 33 years of doing this, but it doesn't mean it doesn't happen," said Thomas Clay, a local defense attorney.

Clay said the fact the suspects had duct tape and wire with them only fortifies the murder charge.

"Certainly those tools are indicative of an intent to do more than perhaps just rob this person, maybe to assault him, shoot him or even kill him and that makes the case much worse from the defense perspective," said Clay.

James Wood, Junior faces a murder charge while his brother, Jerrell Woods, is still on the run. Junior is not giving police any clues.

"He did not give us the whereabouts of Jerrell, but did cooperate some and give us some information on how the events transpired that day," Wilkerson said.

Jerrell Woods could end up facing a wanton murder charge as well. It is a charge according to Clay may not be reduced in a plea deal.

"It could stick. A wanton murder charge could stick, without question, depending on the facts," Clay said.

Jerrell Woods remains on the run. Police ask anyone with information to call the LMPD Crime Tip Line at 574-LMPD. All calls to the Crime Tip Line are anonymous.

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This really blew my mind when I read it, in a good way though.  At least something still makes sense in this maelstrom of insanity we are living in.

Posted 02/11/09 Fu Manchu Belleville, MI

I'm in shock! You mean a law abiding homeowner acting in self defense isn't being hauled off to jail!? Common sense still exists after all!

Posted 02/14/09 clint4liberty Louiisville, KY

Yes, some common sense still exists within the rank and file of the Louisville Metro Police Dept. inside the Liberal Mecca that is Jefferson County.

Posted by Ender on 01/09/09
Last updated 01/09/09

From an AP article posted at Yahoo! Finance on 01/09/09:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President-elect Barack Obama called the latest U.S. job losses on Friday "a stark reminder of how urgently action is needed" to revive the nation's staggering economy. He said he was open to fresh ideas from Congress.

President-elect Barack Obama, flanked by CIA Director-designate Leon Panetta, left, and National Intelligence Director-designate, Ret. Navy Adm. Dennis Blair, announces his intelligence team, Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, during a news conference in Washington. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

"Just show me. If you can show me that something is going to work, I will welcome it. If it works better than something I've proposed, I'll welcome it," Obama told a news conference.

(italics added for emphasis)

He spoke shortly after the Labor Department reported job losses of 524,000 in December and a 7.2 percent unemployment rate, the highest in 16 years.

He said the jobs report made quick action by Congress even more imperative.

"What we can't do is drag this out when we just saw a half a million more job losses," Obama said.

He noted that jobs were lost in all 12 months of 2008, and he called it "the single worst year of job losses since World War II."

"Today's jobs report only underscores the need to move with a sense of urgency and common purpose," said Obama.

He urged Congress to give its quick attention to his still-evolving economic stimulus plan, designed to create or save 3 million jobs at a cost of about $800 billion.

"This morning we received a stark reminder of how urgently action is needed," Obama said, opening a news conference to formally announce his intelligence team choices.

In a message directed at Congress, Obama said, "For the sake of our economy and our people, this is the time to act without delay."

Congressional leaders have said they will finish work on Obama's economic recovery plan by mid-February, though outlines of the proposal are already drawing some criticism, even among the president-elect's fellow Democrats.

Some top Democrats, including Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad of North Dakota are complaining openly, contending that many of the incoming administration's proposed tax cuts won't work. Obama's plan would earmark about 40 percent of the total, or $300 billion, for tax cuts for middle- and low-income Americans.

Meanwhile, Republicans want more tax cuts and have warned against excessive new spending. Both parties have signaled that they intend to place their own stamps on the economic recovery effort.

Asked if winning support from Congress for his ideas was harder than he had expected, Obama said, "You're assuming that I was expecting it to be easy. No."

He said he was open to working with both Democrats and Republicans.

"We welcome good ideas," he said. "I want this to work."

Posted 01/09/09 sweetliberty San Rafael, CA

"He said he was open to fresh ideas from Congress." Ha, ha. He's open to "fresh" ideas from the establishment.

Posted 01/17/09 joey9139122 La Place, LA

MATT, You have the best banner and I would love to send it around and display it, but I think the code is bad. Could you check it out and correct it if it needs correcting. Thanks, Joey E