GUILTY WI - Darius Simmons, 13, shot to death, Milwaukee, 31 May 2012

[Reader]

Wis. man, 76, guilty in fatal shooting of teen

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/crime...-decide-whether-Spooner-testifies-4669684.php

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Milwaukee man who suspected his 13-year-old neighbor of breaking into his home and stealing weapons was convicted Wednesday of fatally shooting the boy as the teen's mother looked on. Now, jurors will decide whether the 76-year-old defendant was mentally ill at the time.

A jury deliberated for about an hour before finding John Henry Spooner guilty of first-degree intentional homicide..........

With the first phase complete, the second began with testimony from a psychiatrist hired by the defense. Dr. Basil Jackson said his examination of Spooner revealed a man with anger issues who periodically dissociated from reality........more.....

 

[Donjeta]

Spooner paced along the sidewalk until police arrived a few minutes later. Police officer Richard Martinez testified that he was handcuffing Spooner when Spooner acknowledged, "Yeah, I shot him."

During closing arguments, Gimbel seized upon that statement as an indication that his client didn't mean to fire a fatal shot.

"He didn't say, 'I killed the kid.' He didn't try to explain anything about the circumstances," Gimbel said.

I wouldn't be a defense lawyer for the world... If he didn't want to kill, why did he try to shoot him two more times?

I find the autopilot defense quite despicable as well. If he had a history of violent outbursts during which he found himself unable to control his aggression he must have known about it and he had a duty not to keep lethal weapons handy. JMO . If you can't control a car, you don't drive one. If you can't control a gun you don't carry one. If you attack people on autopilot without brain interfering you don't buy guns, swords, etc.. Simple as that.

 

[Hopeful One]

This is just lovely...

Spooner took the stand Thursday against his attorney's advice. He acknowledged killing Darius, saying he really wanted his guns back. He said the killing was "justice" for the burglary.

He says he killed the boy out of anger. He says he wanted to shoot the boy's older brother but other people had gathered near him.

http://www.channel3000.com/news/jury-to-hear-docs-testimony-in-homicide-case/-/1648/21030716/-/w64fhkz/-/index.html

 

[Kimberlyd125]

This is just lovely...

Spooner took the stand Thursday against his attorney's advice. He acknowledged killing Darius, saying he really wanted his guns back. He said the killing was "justice" for the burglary.

He says he killed the boy out of anger. He says he wanted to shoot the boy's older brother but other people had gathered near him.

http://www.channel3000.com/news/jur...e-case/-/1648/21030716/-/w64fhkz/-/index.html

Oh
My
Goodness
!!!!

What a winner.

 

[Hopeful One]

Spooner found mentally competent.

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/John-Spooner-216179351.html?lc=Smart

 

[Linda7NJ]

Spooner found mentally competent.

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/John-Spooner-216179351.html?lc=Smart

Great!

 

[EmmaliLucia]

Spooner found mentally competent.

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/John-Spooner-216179351.html?lc=Smart

Thank God.

The whole "I would have shot the older brother too, if it hadn't had been for the crowd gathering"

I think we should look for missing people near where he lives, he sounds like a hardcore sociopath and I wonder if he hasn't done it before.

 

[mikeysmommom]

I am anti sue in 99% of situations. This was cold blooded murder and the police dept treated her and her dead son like the criminals here.

This is EXACTLY the case that screams for civil and criminal action.

JMO

I agree 100% too bad the wrong case had all the protesters! This man was not in any danger from this teen and killed him in cold blood!

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Darius Simmons Murder: John Henry Spooner sentenced to life in prison in death of Wis. teen neighbor

A 76-year-old Milwaukee man who shot and killed his teen neighbor, Darius Simmons, after accusing the boy of burglary has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole.

http://m.cbsnews.com/fullstory.rbml?catid=57594935&feed_id=999&videofeed=999

 

[Kimberlyd125]

The conviction carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison, although Judge Jeffrey Wagner had the option to allow for the possibility of parole. He rejected that option, meaning Spooner — who has lung cancer and other physical ailments — will die in prison.

http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/2575735

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Spooner shows no remorse at sentencing

Spooner showed no remorse during his remarks in front of the judge at Monday's hearing, criticizing the victim's mother, Patricia Larry.

"Mrs. Larry, she knew those kids were going to rob my house," Spooner said. "May God forgive you, Mrs. Larry, for your lying and cheating and stealing. Like I say, I don't know if I did right or wrong."

http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/216413711.html?lc=Smart

Video at link

 

[ScarlettScarpetta]

This guy is priceless. And scary

 

[Kimberlyd125]

http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/wisconsin/john-henry-spooner-questions-fairness-of-trial

Spooner questions fairness of trial

MILWAUKEE (AP) - John Henry Spooner wrote a letter to his local newspaper on the day he was convicted of killing his teenage neighbor, wondering whether he got a fair trial and asking for help in getting the truth out.

Spooner, 76, wrote to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 19 questioning his lawyer's adequacy. He said he still wasn't sure whether killing the teen was right or wrong, the newspaper reported Friday. The letter arrived Thursday.

In his letter, Spooner complained that his lawyer didn't properly instruct him about his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. Spooner told the judge he hoped to make a 15-minute statement to the judge but not testify.

 

[Hopeful One]

http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/wisconsin/john-henry-spooner-questions-fairness-of-trial

Spooner questions fairness of trial

MILWAUKEE (AP) - John Henry Spooner wrote a letter to his local newspaper on the day he was convicted of killing his teenage neighbor, wondering whether he got a fair trial and asking for help in getting the truth out.

Spooner, 76, wrote to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 19 questioning his lawyer's adequacy. He said he still wasn't sure whether killing the teen was right or wrong, the newspaper reported Friday. The letter arrived Thursday.

In his letter, Spooner complained that his lawyer didn't properly instruct him about his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. Spooner told the judge he hoped to make a 15-minute statement to the judge but not testify.

He wants to get the truth out? Isn't that what the trial was for?

The murder was caught on camera. He shot the kid, unprovoked. Seems pretty open and shut to me.

Prison is made for people just like this guy.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

He wants to get the truth out? Isn't that what the trial was for?

The murder was caught on camera. He shot the kid, unprovoked. Seems pretty open and shut to me.

Prison is made for people just like this guy.

He is delusional.
Still thinks it was justified.