Did I do the right thing?

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

By all means you did the right thing the guy is only lucky he didnt land face down in the water and stay there till the police showed up . I will however ask you to be carefull in the future to many idiots out there today with guns that are more than willing to use them. Not saying a gun owner is an idiot just that some idiots have them .


Rick

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

Hehe in Florida with the new(ish) stand your ground law, you could've shot him.

Be careful with that because that law(also called castle doctrine) does not apply unless you are in your home or vehicle. castle doctrine protects you from civil action as well. If I was carrying concealed and a forcible felony was taking place then deadly force could be used but civil action could be filed. also laws exist if a person is being beaten by someone who is capable of inflicting death due to a size difference(Gray area but does exist). This may seem political but just wanted to let ya know.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

That law (also called castle doctrine) does not apply unless you are in your home or vehicle.

That isn't true at all. Invasion defense is only a small portion of the Castle Doctrine.

The Florida "Castle Doctrine" law basically does three things:

One: It establishes, in law, the presumption that a criminal who forcibly enters or intrudes into your home or occupied vehicle is there to cause death or great bodily harm, therefore a person may use any manner of force, including deadly force, against that person.

Two: It removes the "duty to retreat" if you are attacked in any place you have a right to be. You no longer have to turn your back on a criminal and try to run when attacked. Instead, you may stand your ground and fight back, meeting force with force, including deadly force, if you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to yourself or others. [This is an American right repeatedly recognized in Supreme Court gun cases.]

Three: It provides that persons using force authorized by law shall not be prosecuted for using such force.

Additionally, it also prohibits criminals and their families from suing victims for injuring or killing the criminals who have attacked them.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

That isn't true at all. Invasion defense is only a small portion of the Castle Doctrine.

The Florida "Castle Doctrine" law basically does three things:

One: It establishes, in law, the presumption that a criminal who forcibly enters or intrudes into your home or occupied vehicle is there to cause death or great bodily harm, therefore a person may use any manner of force, including deadly force, against that person.

Two: It removes the "duty to retreat" if you are attacked in any place you have a right to be. You no longer have to turn your back on a criminal and try to run when attacked. Instead, you may stand your ground and fight back, meeting force with force, including deadly force, if you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to yourself or others. [This is an American right repeatedly recognized in Supreme Court gun cases.]

Three: It provides that persons using force authorized by law shall not be prosecuted for using such force.

Additionally, it also prohibits criminals and their families from suing victims for injuring or killing the criminals who have attacked them.

Eloquently (and factually) stated Lowkee!
I quoted because I just wanted to read it a 2nd time..

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

"In any other place where a person ?has a right to be,? that person has ?no duty to retreat? if attacked and may ?meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.?

I stand corrected but wanted to include about the forcible felony. Also I think you would have a hard time prove meeting force with deadly force if the force they offer is there hands(unless a really small guy or woman). Either way deadly force in this situation would not be called for(except for his wife when she was being beaten).

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

Its hard to say what is right and what is wrong in these situations, but I don't think you can be faulted for saving a woman from some measure of violence at the hands of the guy.

Having been in such a situation and having reacted to it in a similar way, I can only say that I think most of us react in accordance with an internal sense of what is right and what is wrong.

In the situation that I found myself, the guy was actually assualting the woman. I was in the middle of a portfolio development shoot for a young model, when we heard the screams. I really didn't think about what to do at all - I just threw the camera to the model and took off at a dead run to help the woman being assaulted. By the time I got to them, he had dragged her into her car, and was trying to get her to drive away. I did cover my butt a little and asked her if she wanted him in her car, even though it was obvious that she didn't. She said no and I ordered him out of it. He wouldn't move, so I went after him from the opposite side of the vehicle. Despite the fact that I was about 50 at the time and he was in his early 20s, as soon as I got around the car, he ran like the girly-***** that he was.

I'm not a person who considers himself to be "Mr. Macho." I don't seek physical confrontation and don't view it as an acceptable way of resolving a problem, if there is any alternative. Sometimes, however, you have to do what is necessary to protect the well being of another, or yourself. If you end up performing a crude version of a "dental extraction" in the process, so be it.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

I waited for him to throw the first punch and saw it coming a mile away. I don't think she will go back to him but who knows. She is the one who pressed charges so one can only hope.

My error, I must have misread your post. As said, as soon as he made an attempt to assault you, you had every right to use all means necessary to defend yourself, within reason of course.

With that said, GOOD GUY WINS!
Hopefully he will have learned his lesson.

 

[Thad]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

IMO, if at ANY time a person defends or protects a weaker, they are not wrong.
It is a good person to risk ones self for another. A selfless act and an honorable act as well. In any case, She will most likely let him cool off, he will suck up to her, and she will forgive him (probably again) and a couple months later, same-o-same-o.

But you can feel good about your actions and I will toast a drink to you and all good people that help those in need.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

evil flourishes when good men do nothing

Excatly my thoughts! I believe that you did the right thing! Way to go!

Everything else that has been said is the sad truth of our country. People are afraid to help because they might get sued, the other person might have a gun, they don't know you, etc, etc.

I am glad to hear that everything turned out fine for you! Good job and don't doubt for a second that you did the right thing!

 

[Sharky79]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

Appart from law this could only be good if she was my daughter i would have been very grateful that someone stood for her !

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

It is true that women very often, later decide not to prosecute their attackers. Obviously, this is the case more often when the attacker is a boyfriend, husband, etc.

The girl that I helped did this. I told the Parish Deputies and the girl at the time, that I would testify against the guy in a heartbeat. It turned out that they had been dating and she decided to break up with him. She chose to invite him to the park were I was doing the photo shoot, to give him that bad news. I did meet with the Deputies to give an additional statement after the initial interview, and that was it - the thing never went anywhere.

On one level, it is annoying to risk getting hurt, or worse, for someone who won't follow through on charges against her assailant. On the other hand, I kept the girl from getting hurt worse than she already had been. Each time I think about that, I think about some father, somewhere, being glad that someone protected his "baby."

That's enough for me.

 

[StoutMann]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

Protecting the weak from a bully is honorable. Protecting yourself, even if it means initiating contact, is smart. Other people can wait to defend themselves until they are assaulted due to fear of legal consequences, but that seems kinda dumb to me. If I'm backed in a corner with no way out, I'll commence the attack immediately until the threat is neutralized. My personal safety and health trump legalities. Calling law enforcement and keeping an eye on the situation until they arrive would probably be safest (legally and physically) for everybody. However if things escalate before they arrive, not getting involved due to possible legal consequences is a weak, selfish cop-out. For those who say they would do nothing, would you want somebody to help your sister, wife or daughter? I would. Maybe I'm just a grumpy old Marine who cares about honor too much to tolerate sh*t-bags abusing women. You did the right thing brother.

 

[Thad]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

I'll tell you this, in regards to a father being thankful that a good person stepped in to help.

Any man ever hurts either one of my girls, he would be lucky to have someone step in before me.

I would be the ONLY ONE looking at the inside of a courtroom.

 

[JDP]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

I agree you did the right thing. I know all states are different but most have the same laws when it comes to a situation like this. You have the right to defend yourself and anybody else that may be in danger. His threat to punch her in the face would have been enough to cover your butt. I was always raised that it's ok to fight if the other person throws the first punch. That may be ok when your a kid, but lets face it, that doesn't always work as an adult.

 

[CaptainKev]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

While it was the "right" thing to do.........one has to give some thought to the likelihood that this isn't the first time this lady has been abused by the dirt bag, since he felt comfortable abusing her in public. Personally, I would have hit the cell phone much earlier because of the potential of him doing something to her. There are multiple cases of people getting abused and dropping charges out of fear of retaliation. While the laws can be debated, a gunshot to the head is debate over. I live by the quote of "Know your enemy" what with concealed weapons and random campus killings, that's getting increasingly more difficult.
I'm not being critical for what you did........most times it doesn't end as well.
Kev.

 

[Rogue427]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

IMHO you did the right thing. I hope ha leaves her alone now.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

IMO, you did the right thing. Problem is, .............. whether or not she will go back to him. ALOT of them do !!!!!!!!! That is a sad thing to say, but true !!!!!!!!!!

i would add to this;

are you now going to be around to protect her when he gets home and beats the **** out of her again? no matter what you say i sure in his mind this is yours and her fault

did the thought ever cross any ones mind you could have made a bad situation worse?

 

[Thad]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

i would add to this;

are you now going to be around to protect her when he gets home and beats the **** out of her again? no matter what you say i sure in his mind this is yours and her fault

did the thought ever cross any ones mind you could have made a bad situation worse?

That is, unfortunately, an extremely valid and probable point. However, sometimes, when a victim of abuse sees that a stranger is willing to risk their own safety for the benefit of them(the victim), it speaks volumes to them. If one person gets out of a bad situation because of the act of another, it is worth it. It is what you don't see that is the speculation and unfortunate "stereotype" that keeps people from wanting to actually get involved.
"Why should I do anything? She'll just go back."
Like I said, that one person can make all the difference in the world!

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

Was at the ramp last weekend I launched my boat very quickly and while walking back down to my boat there is a guy screaming at his wife in the truck as she tries to back the boat in. Usually I would just pass by but this guy is calling her every name in the book and then yells "if you mess up one more time in going to punch you in the _____ face" My girlfreind suggests I help out. shes crying like crazy. I walk over and simply ask if he would like me to do it. He says yeah and continues to scream at his wife. at some point he jumps from the boat and starts advancing toward her. I step out and just say everyone calm down and step in between him and her. He makes a B line for me and Its not secret this guy wants to fight. I think great here we go and waited for him to throw a punch and laid one on him. He was out and I grabbed my phone and called 911. The cops came and we both got cuffed for a brief moment as they asked the witnesses what happened and i was released. He was charged with domestic violence it turns out he was beating on her on the way to the ramp. It was a disgusting situation and makes me sick thinking about it. I hate that it turned out bad but don't regret doing it. What would you have done?

you bought a hand in this. doesn't matter now if it was right or wrong. that was 3 or 4 days ago?
what does matter is what you have done since the weekend. you ask what would i do. here is a short list.
what chargers were pressed? did you get a hold of her to see if she needs any help. may be this guy is her only means of transportation. maybe she needs help moving away from him. maybe she would like to thank you for you help. maybe she just needs some one to talk to.
maybe you need to ask her if you did the right or wrong thing.
you stepped in. now its about her and what she has to deal with not you. you started the ball rolling now follow up and finish what you started.
IF YOU ALLREADY HAVE good on you and let us know how it worked out for her

 

[j_martin]

Re: Did I do the right thing?

Protecting the weak from a bully is honorable. Protecting yourself, even if it means initiating contact, is smart. Other people can wait to defend themselves until they are assaulted due to fear of legal consequences, but that seems kinda dumb to me. If I'm backed in a corner with no way out, I'll commence the attack immediately until the threat is neutralized. My personal safety and health trump legalities. Calling law enforcement and keeping an eye on the situation until they arrive would probably be safest (legally and physically) for everybody. However if things escalate before they arrive, not getting involved due to possible legal consequences is a weak, selfish cop-out. For those who say they would do nothing, would you want somebody to help your sister, wife or daughter? I would. Maybe I'm just a grumpy old Marine who cares about honor too much to tolerate sh*t-bags abusing women. You did the right thing brother.

Average law enforcement response time 3 minutes
Average 38sp load, chamber, aim, and fire less than 3 seconds.

I guess I'm just a grumpy old Sailor.
John