Probation for killing after dog pees on prize lawn

[The Straight Story]

Probation for killing after dog pees on prize lawn
Chicago-area ex-Marine will do no jail time for second-degree murder in 2009 shooting

JOLIET, Ill. — A former Marine who was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a man whose puppy urinated on his award-winning lawn was sentenced Wednesday to four years probation.

Charles Clements, 69, won't do any jail time for killing his neighbor Joshua Funches, 23, during an argument outside Clements' home. He could have been sentenced to as long as 20 years in prison, The Chicago Tribune reported.

"This is not justice," said Gail Williams, the slain man's aunt, according to the Tribune.

In May 2009, as Funches passed Clements' home while walking his fox terrier, the dog lifted its leg and relieved itself, witnesses said. The two men got into an argument. After Funches cursed at him, Clements pulled out a .45-caliber handgun, then put it back in his pocket, the Tribune reported. Soon after, Funches punched Clements in the face. Clements said Funches was standing still when he redrew the gun and shot him, the Tribune reported.

Funches later died of his injuries.

Funches was the father of three young children, including one born after his death, according to the Tribune.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40843342/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

[old mark]

1. More like " after man attacks and punches him in the face"...I would have shot the bastard, too...n

[enough]

2. This is an interesting world you live in. Punching someone in the face means

you deserve to die?

[DrDan]

4. seems that owning a gun allows the owner to sit in the seat of justice

judge, jury, and executioner all efficiently rolled into one.

At least that is the way I understand the argument.

[old mark]

8. So you defend a 23 year old who attacks a nearly 70 year old man , and

condem that old may for defending himself?
If we do live in different worlds, I'm quite happy about that.

Please stay in yours.

He should not even have got probation.
mark

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LeftinOH]

5. Attention Joliet dog owners: Take your dogs on late-night walks to this guy's lawn

and let the dogs do their business. I hope his lawn is forever covered in shit.

[rucky]

6. At least he didn't shoot the dog. n/t

[old mark]

9. Right - then he would have become Michael Vick...nt

[Obamanaut]

7. Additional responses here ->

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x91757