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911 Call of Texas Man, Shoots Two Robbers (Updated 7/1/08 – Good News!!!! Joe Horn has been cleared of all charges.)

December 5, 2007 by Orlando  
Filed under Uncategorized

Update 07/01/08: He’s been cleared of all charges!

Police ready for Protests.

DA’s Statement:

In June, after the conclusion of a long and exhaustive investigation by the city of Pasadena Police Department into the deaths of Hernando Riascos Torres and Diego Ortiz on Nov. 14, 2007, our office presented the results of that investigation and all relevant witnesses to a Harris County grand jury for them to determine whether any criminal offense had been committed by Joe Horn, in relation to their deaths. Today, having heard and considered all of the law and evidence, the grand jury no-billed Joe Horn.

Although, by state law, I cannot discuss the actual proceedings in the grand jury, I can tell you that the grand jury conducted a thorough review of the evidence and testimony. They considered the relevant criminal statutes in Texas, including those pertaining to homicide, use of deadly force, self-defense, and defense of property. In short, before making their decision, they were as well-informed on the facts and circumstances of this case as any deliberative body could be.

I also understand the concerns of some in the community regarding Mr. Horn’s conduct. The use of deadly force is carefully limited in Texas law to certain circumstances, and each case stands or falls on its particular facts.

This office will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone who illegally engages in the use of force, deadly or otherwise, against another. In this case, however, the grand jury concluded that Mr. Horn’s use of deadly force did not rise to a criminal offense.

As independent decision-makers of probable cause in our most serious criminal cases, the grand jurors deserve our deference and respect for their role in our criminal justice system.

Original Post, December 5, 2007

joehornformyneighborbanner.jpgUpdated by Jenn: Chase Bank Legal Defense Fund for Joe Horn. Click here for more info.

The debate over gun laws in the US state of Texas has been ignited after a man killed two burglars breaking into a house next door.  The entire incident was recorded.

 

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  1. Joe Horn’s a Free Man! says:
    July 1, 2008 at 12:40 pm

    [...] house? He’s been cleard of all charges. See the updates to the original post, here. Close this WindowBookmark and Share This Page Save to Browser [...]

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  2. NEWS & OPINION ROUNDUP (1 JULY 2008) THE JOE HORN EDITION | Democrat=Socialist says:
    July 1, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    [...] JS at Ft. Hard Knox pointed out one I missed on Joe Horn.  Thanks [...]

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Comments

49 Responses to “911 Call of Texas Man, Shoots Two Robbers (Updated 7/1/08 – Good News!!!! Joe Horn has been cleared of all charges.)”
  1. John says:
    December 5, 2007 at 8:35 am

    This man should be awarded a medal. I would have done the same thing. I’ve heard people saying it was racist. I don’t care what color they were, they got what they deserved. When are people going to wake up?

    Reply
  2. JennSierra says:
    December 5, 2007 at 8:55 am

    I agree, John – welcome to FHK. The make-my-day law, and the castle-law are an excellent deterrent to crime, and allow law abiding citizens to confidently protect themselves, their families and their property. This incident is a case-in-point of exactly why those laws are needed.

    Reply
  3. Ben says:
    December 5, 2007 at 9:23 pm

    Good.

    We need more of this in America. Crime has been rising and the government’s not going to stop it.

    Reply
  4. Airrik says:
    December 6, 2007 at 12:36 pm

    “Inbred Wackjobs” is how I would describe anyone oblivious enough to conceive the idea that this was anything more than premeditated murder. When a law enforcement officer *(Police Dispatcher) tells you on your phone, repeatedly, not to leave your residence. You further insist on confronting two individuals on another property that you do not own and are not responsible for. Beyond that, you then proceed to inform the dispatcher of your intent to kill the burglars!! You then proceed to shoot two individuals IN THE BACK! One MAN TWICE AND NEITHER OF WHICH WERE ARMED!! Joe Horn Wanted In On The Action, Pure And Simple! Joe Horn took that as an opportunity to kill and he believed it would be a legal shooting! Law Says An Individual Has The Right To Protect Their property, Even If By Force… NOT SOMEONE ELSES. Joe Horn deserves a needle in his arm or a lengthy sit in a gas filled chamber!

    Reply
  5. Jon says:
    December 6, 2007 at 6:15 pm

    It would have been one thing if he had confronted the men who are said to be unarmed. However, what that man did is wrong,and the Police officer on the phone does not deserve his job anymore for his failure to protect the man from himself and the robbers.If murder is not the crime, this man committed the crime of taking the law into his own hands.

    Reply
  6. Jose says:
    December 8, 2007 at 7:10 pm

    You know what would have avoided the whole situation?

    IF THEY WEREN’T ROBBING SOMEONE!

    Reply
  7. Cal says:
    December 8, 2007 at 7:11 pm

    Rob me.

    The same thing will happen.

    End of story.

    Reply
  8. Jenn Sierra says:
    December 9, 2007 at 1:04 am

    Now, that’s a very good point, Jose, and one that is being overlooked in the main-stream media (too logical, I suppose).

    And Rob…Amen!

    Welcome to FHK, guys, and thanks for the comments.

    Reply
  9. CSmith says:
    December 10, 2007 at 5:58 am

    Thank you Joe Horn for taking care of the problem before they reached my house! If I thought it would not cause a news media problem for you, I would be honored to replace the shells you used, with new ones.

    It is certainly amazing that there are people that want to make criminals a protected species. To those people I say, feel free to post a sign in your yard that says, “You can rob me, without risk.”

    There are plenty of taxpayer supported Federal, State and community programs that assist people in need, so there is no excuse to turn to crime.

    I wish only the best for you. Without a doubt, you are truely the best neighbor a person can have. May God bless you, Joe Horn.

    Reply
  10. jamal says:
    December 10, 2007 at 4:35 pm

    Thats murder, since when is death the punishment for theft. they were running away, he came out and murder them after the police told him stay in the house… Ya’ll are saying kill everyone who steals… death for stealin cable, death for taking to much change from the tellar/cashier, death for downloadin music and movies… the world is crazy enough as it is… but your right race had nothing to do wit this i think

    Reply
  11. jamal says:
    December 10, 2007 at 4:37 pm

    yea rob defend yourself, but not your next door neighbor

    Reply
  12. DJ says:
    December 10, 2007 at 8:22 pm

    While I do not agree on how this occured, I must admit, two out of three of these perps will never again have the opportunity to confront another lone resident and escalalate from the lesser felony of breaking and entering, to one of rape, murder and/or permanent disability…Maybe my daughter or sister or yours are better off. Thanks Mr. Horn…any relation to Tom Horn? btw

    Reply
  13. bill says:
    December 12, 2007 at 9:12 am

    I think its time for people who take other people stuff to get what coming to them. If you are not bresking into someone house this never would have happen. People should stop breaking into folks houses, if so they need to be shoot.

    Reply
  14. Robert Baptiste says:
    December 12, 2007 at 5:13 pm

    I as an african american VET of the 1979 Hostage Crisis I must admit, although the occurence may not be within the legal contents of the law, and he did have intent on the 911 call, my verdict on this one is Joe is NOT GUILTY! Had someone been in the house that was robbed these two thugs may have killed or tortured them. Two less thugs regardless of race or religion. Thumbs up for the right to own arms.

    Reply
  15. Antoine says:
    December 13, 2007 at 4:09 pm

    Would you folks feel the same way if the murdered thieves were your relatives…? A crime is a crime and two were committed. I’m the first one to say if you come into my home I will shoot to kill. I don’t know ythe intruder’s intensions nor will I ask! However, you can’t shoot someone in the back, since if their back is to you, they are retreating and not posing an imminent threat…
    In most states what he did is no question illegal. The only way he would be justified is if he prevented grave harm to himself or anyone else, be it a nieghbor, family or stranger. Property can be replaced, life can not.

    Reply
  16. chris says:
    December 13, 2007 at 6:45 pm

    I have a house full of expensive things but all of them together are not worth the life of a human being.Has America become so materialistic that we can trulu think its ok to kill for taking material things.Please think about what really happened.Think how God must feel to know that some of his children think its ok to kill some of his children for possesions.People this man shot two human beings down like they were wild animals.He said “im going to kill them”.He could care less what they were taking.Could you really shoot two people down who posed no threat to you?God help us all.The world really is very near its end.

    Reply
  17. glenn says:
    December 13, 2007 at 11:53 pm

    this man is right on give him a medal. the problem today is that folks just stand around and ignore the crimnals for whatever reason they can justify for themselves. If more folks stood up for what is right scumbags would stay away and if not they would be dealt with. I would have done the same thing in his shoes. If they didn’t want trouble they should have not been doing a B & E. you go joe

    Reply
  18. Alicia Jones says:
    December 14, 2007 at 10:31 am

    I would like to respond to the first comment made by John. NO ONE has a right to take an individual’s life. The possessions that were taken from the victim’s home can be replaced, but you CANNOT replace the people’s lives. It was an unfortunate event, but Horn should be punish to the full extent of the law. Not only did the two robbers lose their lives, but this will have a negative effect on the families who are victims also. Through this experience, I pray that all that reads this blog accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Time is too short and Jesus is soon to return for His children.

    Reply
  19. chavis says:
    December 15, 2007 at 2:16 pm

    i think he should have listened to the law which was the 911 dispactcher he could have described them to the law and if what tpe of vehicle they got in but to kill thou shalt not kill especially if it was not his house he needs to think would he want someone to kill his kids even though they were robbing someelse he would be thankful that his kid is alive even though he they may be in prison its possible he can still see them and that may teach them a lesson GOD HELP US. AND WE ARE NOT ALL GOD CHILDREN JUST HIS CREATION YOU BECOME HIS CHILD WHEN YOU BECOME BORN AGAIN AND BE ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF HEAVEN.

    Reply
  20. TASHA says:
    December 15, 2007 at 9:55 pm

    Let’s all please get real here. Everybody that says it was justified must actually think there is no need for the law or the police. If the police caught these two burgulars in the act, would it be right or even law for the police to kill them? Stealing……no human harm…..no weapons….. So the next time someone burns a CD or a DVD, just think…….he deserves to die. He deserves to die because he stole something. The next time you tap into someone elses wireless internet, make sure you are willing to die for it. Get real people. All those ones who said it was right for those two people to get shot, the next time you hear of anyone stealing something, YOU GO MURDER THEM!!! YOU ALL TALK A LOT OF SH*T BUT I BET NONE OF YOU WOULD MURDER ANY UNARMED MAN OR WOMAN FOR STEALING!! HOW ABOUT A TEENAGER FOR SHOPLIFTING? DO YOU EVEN THINK THIS GUY TOOK TO THE TIME TO EVEN SEE IF THESE WERE KIDS OR NOT? THANK GOD THEY WEREN’T. IF YOU WANT TO LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE YOU TAKE THE LAW INTO YOUR OWN HANDS, YOU NEED TO GET THE HELL OUT OF AMERICA BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE NOT!!!!

    Reply
  21. Tony says:
    January 8, 2008 at 6:46 am

    I have to agree with you TASHA. This is the type of punishment given to lawbreakers in third world countries. I’ve seen video of a burgular in Iraq. After he was cought, a mob of people got together and cut off his hands. Talk about eye for an eye and tooth for tooth. Killing these men is not representative of what an American stands for. The bible says follow the law of the land, not of thy self.

    Reply
  22. forthardknox Jenn Sierra says:
    January 8, 2008 at 8:36 am

    I see we have some readers who are passionate on various perspectives on this discussion. It’s been a while since I’ve checked on this thread, but I wanted to welcome all of you to FHK.

    Reply
  23. E. Black says:
    January 9, 2008 at 11:28 am

    Idiotic robbers should have known better in Texas. We should thank Mr Horn for ridding us of this scum.

    Reply
  24. D.D says:
    January 12, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    I believe that if this was not a racially motivated shooting this man should serve whatever sentence he is giving proudly. The message needs to be sent and recieved by those who are so bold as to victimize someone in the place that the law says you have the right to feel safe. YOUR HOME!!!!! I am not saying that the way he handled this is right. I am not sure if he would have shot them if they where not black. I would not have done the same thing, but at the same time these criminals need to be afraid. I would love to have a neighbor like that watching my back. Well maybe not my back. In any case if your child is a burgler who could easily take the opportunity to upgrade to the murderer of my child I don’t value their life or your feelings. People like that go to jail and come out worst than they where before. Here’s an idea NEVER ENTER someone elses residence with the intent on robbing them which is causing them harm. And you will lessen your chances of being killed.

    Reply
  25. Al says:
    January 19, 2008 at 2:09 am

    joe should get the death penalty that trigger happy s.o.b.

    Reply
  26. Joe says:
    February 14, 2008 at 9:45 am

    No, you don’t understand the law. You have the right to defend “your own” domain, not someone’s else’s. Especially, when no one is there!

    Reply
  27. From Texas with Love says:
    February 19, 2008 at 9:48 am

    Thank you Mr Horn. You make criminals think before they step into a neighborhood to steal from, rape or murder innocent people. Everyone should have a neighbor so bold to do what few want to do but, do not have the intestinal fortitude to do. May the spirit of Texas watch over you and keep you safe. Amen.

    Reply
  28. Shawn says:
    February 19, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    Ok, first off, Joe is a f’n hero! And to you dumbass’s who said that to defend your own domain’s, you CLEARLY didn’t hear the 911 call, Joe said they were coming into his yard, so, He stopped two theives from STEALING. You say idiotic and murder? You guys like TASHA are the idiotic ones. Joe – I wish you were my neighbor! Good job! Oh and one last thing; since the victims wife said her husband was a good guy, what the hell kind of a good guy is he if he robs? Um…hello? Did you see the shit they had in the house? Apparently if you ROB something, you’re considered a good guy? Typical in the eyes of a *********.

    Reply
  29. Ben says:
    February 19, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    I agree Shawn! Nice response. I think neighbors should look out after each other like Joe did. He should get somekind of civic duty award. A neighborhood full of Joe’s would have a very low crime rate. The kind of neighborhood I would love to live in. All you other peole can live in your crime filled neighborhood – I for one would like to sleep peacefully because of my house not being robbed – thankyou Joe for the HOPE from the two donated shells you offered us =).

    Reply
  30. john says:
    March 11, 2008 at 6:28 pm

    Mr Horn. You are a true hero! The judical sYstem is nothing but a puppet show. It is time for change to see criminals laying in the side walks not inocent law abiding citizens.
    Remember even rivers cleanse themselves!
    It is time to clean the country and regain our freedom as law abiding, hard working peple so we don’t have to lock our doors and live in fear.
    Unfortunately, the politicians and judical leaders don’t see it that way. If they don’t fix this prpblem quickly, it will eventually become wide spread unrest. Wake up America and make sure that Mr Horn remains a free man and an honorable one! I have a sign for Mr Horn’s community. “This neighborhood is guarded by shothguns, three days a week, you guess which days.”

    Reply
  31. Tom says:
    April 2, 2008 at 7:44 pm

    OK kids,
    If Joe was on the phone with the dispacher for what must have been Twenty to thirty minuets from his initial report, Where was D.P.S.?

    They usually do a good job of responding promptly but it wasent until the shooting had occured that suddenly 5 cops are on site.

    I think in a culture where evrything is supposed to be inshured, the cops may not consider robbery a priority. TOM

    Reply
  32. ZIGGYAMI says:
    April 17, 2008 at 1:30 am

    Mr. Horn is a very brave man; he didnt know if these men were armed or not. He did know that they just committed a home invasion (a burglary) and could these men have injured or killed the people inside. It looked like these men were coming for him next.I don’t know if the 911 operator had special training; doubt he was a trained police officer and doubt the operator had any legal training. The operator was trying to keep Mr. Horn from getting shot by the police (they will engage the most serious looking threat “a gun”). Mr. Horn braved it ; as a good man will do now and again.When more good men stand ; as Mr. Horn did, there will be less crime. I wish he were my neighbor.

    Reply
  33. ZIGGYAMI says:
    April 17, 2008 at 1:47 am

    Here is link to the video above and there are others (videos)here on the same page, that you should see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPuM_XAo2BE . There is a site with information about the ex-crack dealer Quanell x leading the march in Mr. Horns neighborhood. “Who is this Quanell X guy, anyway?” You gotta read this link about this racist. http://www.chronicallybiased.com/index.php?itemid=479 . I admire the people in Mr. Horns neighborhood (they way outnumbered the racist protesters) who stood there ground .

    Reply
  34. mike doxsee says:
    June 22, 2008 at 2:06 pm

    This is a hell of a neighbor and hell of a guy…

    Reply
  35. lllllllllllllll says:
    July 1, 2008 at 7:49 am

    GOOD for Joe Horn! FINALLY

    Reply
  36. blublueyes says:
    July 1, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    Every household in America should be required to own at least ONE firearm and these criminals would wise-up!

    Reply
  37. Afro Puff says:
    July 2, 2008 at 12:19 pm

    The man who owned the house, even though not close with John paid in full for his entire legal team and backed him the whole way. The problem started with the two men robbing the home. Who is to say that they hadnt assalted a home owner and already got away with this. Yes in gods eyes this was wrong to kill two human beings. I wonder how they were judged in gods eyes. When the got to the gates of heaven and it was known that they had just been killed in the process of robbing a home. They had free will to chose to rob the home. Or not to chose to rob the home. They chose there own fate. As far as I know robbing and stealing is understood to be a very risky thing to do. You can lose your life or your freedom. They knew that long before they went to that house to rob it. I would also bet this was not the first time they had done it in broad day light. So even though maybe they didnt deserve to die they knew it was a possablity that they could be shot by a home owner or even police for that matter. Or snt to Jail. Also to all of the people who are saying they were shot in the back well do your home work next time and dont just go off of what others have said. They both had chest wounds which were the cause of death. A shot gun chest wound 100 out of 100 times tested will always show the person has to be faceing you. Unless they were running backwards when they were shot, Which wasnt found well then you can say they were shot while running away. For the record it was shown the the third shot missed completely. Thanks

    Reply
  38. Tracye says:
    July 2, 2008 at 1:49 pm

    Hey, I didn’t know that the punishment for robbery was death. I guess the laws have changed since I last looked. Them what’s the punishment for murder? Oh yeah, acquittal. I understand now. Thanks.

    Reply
  39. forthardknox JennSierra says:
    July 2, 2008 at 2:09 pm

    Tracye, you need to bone up on your legal definitions. Start with the definition of “murder,” then with “punishment.” I’m only suggesting this, because you’ve used both inappropriately in your comment.

    Reply
  40. Tracye says:
    July 2, 2008 at 2:15 pm

    Wow!! We value property more than the life of an individual. If all criminals were meant to die there would be no need for the prison system at all. This man didn’t have any courage, he had a gun. And he’s NOT a hero. Far from it!!! I’m just glad the robbers weren’t a couple of mischievious teens. Would he still have been a hero then? I guess so. All criminals deserve to die, right. Or is it just illegal aliens?

    Reply
  41. Tracye says:
    July 2, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    Thanks Jenn. But you can discuss legal terms with someone who is better qualified. I’m just voicing my opinion and it’s pretty obvious what that is. But thanks anyway.

    Reply
  42. Mario says:
    July 7, 2008 at 12:01 am

    The man does not seem like a racist, he just sounds like a frustrated man. I would do the same, he acted in the way any person would. People earn theyre stuff by busting their ass working hard so that some dumb burglar can just take it. That is not right at least not in my book I would of done the same to any burglar white, hispanic or whatever race a burglar is a burglar and to me I do not discriminate burglars they will all get the same even if it means deadly force. Its time police enforcement start picking up enforcement or else this will continue to happen.

    Reply
  43. Mario says:
    July 7, 2008 at 12:25 am

    Cops need to start doing there job 30min on the phone before the law gets there is ridiculous good job Joe and as far as police goes i live in South Bend, Indiana and the police is never in sight for anything but local 7-11s were they chat and drink coffee 30 min makes me sick

    Reply
  44. Cheryl says:
    July 9, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    Since when is robbery punishable by DEATH? In my state you cannot shoot somebody unless it is in self defense or they have broken into YOUR home.

    What if one of those men killed was your son?

    That man was told that the police were on there way, yet he left his home, went to the neighbors home and shot the men dead.

    How many of you have sons and daughters who have made major mistakes. Perhaps shop lifting? Maybe drugs and alcohol? Perhaps your son or daughter is really a good person who went down the wrong road. What if your son or daughter went with somebody to rob a house, building, business, etc. and even though they were not armed, some one in the neighborhood walked over and shot them dead?

    I gets sick of criminals who kill, stab, shot, and rape innocent people, and I wouldn’t think twice about killing someone who is doing bodily harm to another person, but I could not kill someone for robbery.

    I watched the news, that man wanted to kill those men. He was angry, he was not protecting himself, he was full of hate. Perhaps his next victim will be your son, or husband, he may determine that your relative is up to no good and needs killin.

    Reply
  45. TxB says:
    August 12, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    Tough damn shit. All those kids who make mistakes will sometimes pay for them the hard way.

    Reply
  46. ryan says:
    December 9, 2008 at 11:52 am

    I agree fully, you decide to come into my house without permission or my neighbors house and I am going to do the same thing but I would not have called the police first. I would have done that after the fact.

    Reply
  47. Ryan says:
    September 18, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    Now that’s the kind of neighbor I’d like to have living next to me! If I were the neighbor that got robbed, I would have helped pay for my neighbor’s lawyer. We need more people like that in the world that are able and willing to stick their neck out and protect those that live around us. I wish that other states (especially North Carolina where I live) would look at the state of Texas and make the laws similar to theirs. I believe that crime wouldn’t happen as much, since people might think about actually getting killed trying to rob someone else.

    Reply

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