80-year-old Homeowner Arrested After Shooting Burglar
Mar 28, 2012
http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/80-year-old-homeowner-arrested-for-shooting-burglar.htmlAn 80-year-old Army veteran was arrested after he shot a burglar who had broken into his Chicago-area home. Police have charged Homer Wright with one felony count of unlawful gun use. They charged the man who broke into Wright’s home, 19-year-old Anthony Robinson with felony burglary.
Wright, who owns a pub in Englewood, called his arrest “unjust.”
“I think it’s wrong and it’s unjust that I can’t protect me and my whatever, and that’s wrong,” Wright told The Chicago Sun-Times.
Police said Wright was arrested because he had two previous weapons convictions – in 1968 and 1994.
Wright told the Chicago Tribune that he was awakened. by his wife – who heard a noise. Wright found Robinson inside the house trying to steal liquor. So he grabbed a pistol and shot the burglar once in the leg. Court records indicate the suspect had been arrested at least 13 times since 2009, the Sun-Times reported.
Wright’s arrest has infuriated his family and his neighborhood, many of whom called the elderly man a pillar in the community.
“If a man can’t defend himself from harm, what can he do,” Daryl Smith, a tow truck owner told the Chicago Tribune. “We’re outraged as a community and we’re calling for the state’s attorney’s office to drop the charges. This man has done nothing wrong.”
18th Ward Committeeman William Delay said Wright was just trying to protect his home – and besides – he didn’t kill the burglar.
“He only maimed this guy yet he has been arrested and is sitting in jail,” Delay told the Sun-Times. “Where is the justice in that?”
Wright was released on his own recognizance.
His grandson, Courtney Cook, had some advice for the burglar.
“If you want to rob somebody, you got to face the consequences,” he told the Sun-Times.
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Charges dropped:
April 2, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- The Chicago homeowner charged after he shot an intruder no longer faces those charges.
Homer Wright was charged with unlawful use of a weapon because he was convicted in the past of weapons charges and wasn't allowed to own a gun. Now, prosecutors are dismissing the charge, but did not say why during a court hearing Monday morning.
Wright shot a 19-year-old burglar in the leg after he says the suspect broke into his Chicago home last week. Police arrested the 19-year-old but also arrested Wright when they found out about his previous conviction. Wright was arrested and charged after the shooting at his Englewood home, which is also his place of business.
Wright was released on an I-bond.
"The judge seen it himself, an old man protecting his family and his home," said Homer Wright's grandson Courtney Cook. "An 81-year-old man is protecting himself and his family. Is he supposed to be the victim?"
Some Englewood community residents are upset that Wright was arrested for allegedly shooting 19-year-old Anthony Robinson.
Police say Robinson broke into Wright's home situated behind the tavern he owns.
"Where in America can you not defend yourself?" said Darryl Smith of the Englewood Political Task Force. "And because you have a felony is your life less valuable than any other person? Had he not had a gun, we would be here for another reason, because he was beaten to death."
"If they come into your house, whether you are a convicted felon or not, you are going to protect yourself and your family," said 18th Ward Committeeman William Delay.
Wright has two felony convictions on his record dating back almost 20 years.
"He has a right to defend himself," said Richard Kling, clinical professor of law at Chicago Kent College of Law. "Had he not been a convicted felon, he would have the right to shoot the person dead. His problem is not the shooting but that he possessed a gun, which he was not allowed to do because of a prior record... He certainly could have used a knife. If he had used a knife there would have been no charges."
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8604705