Black Guy Kills White Teen

[Steve]

Here is something you don't read every day. I say it jokingly but its tragic. Its the excuse he uses that is so unique. I don't buy it obviously but its interesting to see someone try it.

 

John White grew up hearing stories from family members about the racial hatred of the Deep South, including the Ku Klux Klan's torching of his grandfather's business in Alabama in the 1920s.

 

So when white teenagers showed up on his Long Island doorstep last year, spewing racial epithets in a fight with his son, White said he feared he was about to be attacked by a lynch mob. He grabbed a gun and, after an argument with the group, fatally shot one of the teens.

 

A jury this week will consider whether White, a 54-year-old asphalt foreman, should be convicted of manslaughter or a lesser charge in the death of 17-year-old Daniel Cicciaro.

 

The case has been playing out in a Long Island courtroom over the past three weeks, marked by White's emotional testimony as he recalled memories of racial violence from his family's past. He recalled seeing the headlights of the teenagers' cars on that night in 2006 and thinking the worst.

 

"In my family history, that's how the Klan comes," White said. "They pull up. They blind you with their lights." He broke down in tears on the podium, insisting: "I didn't mean to shoot this young man. This young man was another child of God."

 

Defense attorney Fred Brewington said in closing arguments that a modern-day "lynch mob" appeared on the street outside his client's house.

 

"He wanted to stop these people who said they were coming to kill his son," Brewington said.

 

White contends the weapon â?? a pistol handed down to him by his grandfather â?? discharged accidentally. The victim's family argues the teen was shot down in cold blood...

[chelseafan]

Tragic, but I've got to say it....if the roles had been reversed, there would be near riots on the street

[Hugh_Hoy]

CS...I'd certainly like to hear more to the story before I'd dismiss the defendant's claim. There is no way either of us were there to witness the event, but I could see where a guy could fear for his life...or have a gun handy...and if not too familiar with firearms, the weapon could go off accidently. Just not enough info here for me.

 

Fan...I'm not so sure about a near riot taking place. I think, to a large extent, riots in the U.S. may be a thing of the past. I know in LA, the people may have gotten tired of seeing their neighborhoods burned down and suffering the consequences that they bring. God knows that there have been quite a few incidents in the recent past that were just as flammable as the much-publicized Rodney King episode...and those events, while sparking large,black community protests, did not materialize into violence.

 

HH

[Steve]

You're right that we don't have all the facts. I would have called 911 myself...but had my gun nearby anyway.

[chelseafan]

Ok, dont want to start a racist thread here, all I am saying is that from my point of view, there would certainly be a lot more trouble if it had been the other way around.

 

For example, look what happened recently in France when police shot dead a black youth, 2 days of riots and anarchy....

 

The problem nowadays is that everyone gets scared when a group of youths, with their getto clothes, gang culture, poor language etc approaches them.

 

 

[Hugh_Hoy]

 

The problem nowadays is that everyone gets scared when a group of youths, with their getto clothes, gang culture, poor language etc approaches them.

 

 

I don't blame them. That's why I often am escorted by Misters Smith and Wesson and their hard-nosed little friends.

 

HH

 

[Torneyboy]

White contends the weapon â?? a pistol handed down to him by his grandfather â?? discharged accidentally. The victim's family argues the teen was shot down in cold blood...

I guess it will come down to this ....

Still scary to be confronted by a gang of hoons ..

[Bangkoktraveler]

[color:red]"White contends the weapon â?? a pistol handed down to him by his grandfather â?? discharged accidentally."[/color]

 

NYC cops are famous for accidentally discharging their guns. In Arizona, this rarely happens. Actually, I have never heard of it happening.

[Flashermac]

Ummm ... whatever happened to NYC's famous Sullivan Act, which just sort of bans the private ownership of pistols without a permit?

 

Now I do have my grandfather's Colt revolver at home - unloaded. It's an Army Colt Special double action World War I issue. I'm breaking no laws by having it and it certainly isn't going to go off "by accident". Takes a damned hard pull on the trigger to fire most double action revolvers.

 

That "modern day lynch mob" remark would have me throwing my coffee at the lawyer, if I'd been on the jury. Must be a public defender who can't get a job in private practice.

 

I do have a feeling that the kid got what he deserved, though I'd have smacked him with the policeman's billy club my mother keeps next to the front door. Bet there is some teenage gang background that hasn't been stated here.

 

 

 

[Hugh_Hoy]

â??Ummm ... whatever happened to NYC's famous Sullivan Act, which just sort of bans the private ownership of pistols without a permit?â?Â

 

Flashâ?¦Riverhead is in the eastern part of Long Island in Suffolk Countyâ?¦not â??NYCâ?Â. Moot point, as the Sullivan Act is a NY State law, not a NYC ordnance.

 

 

â??Takes a damned hard pull on the trigger to fire most double action revolvers.â?Â

 

True, however, if the hammer is cocked, not much is needed to pull the triggerâ?¦and those things can be worked on to make it even easier than when the revolver is â??factory freshâ?Â.

 

Source: Hughipedia.