Judge orders guns returned to blind FL man who ‘stood his ground’ against drinking buddy

[phantom power]

John Wayne Rogers, a blind man acquitted of killing his friend James Dewitt under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” statute, successfully sued the state to have his guns returned to him.

Prosecutors had charged Rogers with first-degree murder in the 2012 shooting death of his house guest and drinking companion, James DeWitt. Rogers’s attorneys contended that he was a blind man defending himself from a drunken guest, but the prosecution had witnesses willing to testify that Rogers can see.

Rogers claimed that he asked Dewitt and DeWitt’s girlfriend, Christina Ann Robertson, to leave after the trio returned from a 10 a.m. beer run. DeWitt refused, Rogers testified, so Rogers went into his bedroom and retrieved his rifle. When he returned to the living room, DeWitt charged him, and Rogers shot him in the chest.

...

Rogers, who was blinded in a work-related accident in 2001, has an extensive history of violence. In 2010, following another night of drinking, Rogers shot at his cousin and roommate, Michael Rogers, 15 times with a handgun. Michael Rogers was not shot, and John Rogers eventually plead no contest to one count of unlawfully displaying a firearm, for which he was placed on probation.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/23/judge-orders-guns-returned-to-blind-fl-man-who-stood-his-ground-against-drinking-buddy/

[doc03]

1. You can't operate a car while blind but a gun, no problem there n/t

[uppityperson]

2. I am more concerned about his violent history than being "legally blind" as that could mean he can

see 20/200 with the eye he has left. What does someone have to do in Florida to lose access to guns?

[JJChambers]

3. Ugh

Take his guns and take his freedom.

[Iggo]

4. Goddam, those gun-fuckers are insane!

[Cali_Democrat]

5. I'm surprised this happened in Florida. nt