heres what happened

[Valigator]

3&1/2 hours with two Broward prosecutors and the arresting officer, stenographer, my attorney and me...every detail 10 times, 50 times to try and trip me up, why do I carry guns? My answer, "because of you" You and the state of Florida have basically left Floridians to fend for themselves" you threw us a bone by passing the "castle doctrine" but you really dont want me to utilize it . I get the feeling Law enforcement would rather do the paperwork on my efforts to carry guns, than you would on my right to protect myself! There isnt a law-abiding woman in this town who should be without a weapon for protection. I didnt do anything wrong, my weapons were as they should be! Cell phone, got alot about why I didnt call 911 right off the bat! I asked if any of them carried a purse? What would you do? dig for a cell phone in the bottom of your purse or stop the guy in his tracks?We are only talking feet here. End of the day and I quote! Valerie, we do not want you to stop what you are doing, we all feel its a valuable service, we want you to continue it. Ms. Parkhurst please dont hold the entire Davie police department responsible for what happened. ?I asked what that meant? They said they still had to "chew on it"but please Valerie go and get your concealed weapons permit! What does that tell you?

[Dan Morris]

Personally, I think you is home free! Just my thought and prayers.
Dan

[BILLY D.]

Val

I'm no Mouthpiece, thas my brothers area of expertise, but it sounds like you are off the hook. Congrats.

They told you to get a concealed permit, and you can't do that if you have a less than perfect record. I don't know what further issues they would have and if you were released it sounds like the game is over. Did they give you another date to report back or anything?

I don't understand everything I know about Floridas Castle Doctrine Law but from what I've read you were in the right.

Thank God you didn't over react and shoot the POS. We might be sending you Care Packages at Christmas time at the Barb Wire Hotel.

I don't understand "what it is they are still chewing on". Did they give you a release and your Bond money back? Did they expunge you record?

Keep us clued in.

One other thing, it sounds like the Arresting Officer was a dip stick. The defense they offered by saying "don't blame the entire Police Department" leads me to believe this guy has had a problem previously. It also sounds like they are trying to board up their butts to me.

Bless you heart Lady and keep up the good work.

Best wishes, Bill

[skeet]

Glad to hear that things went as well as they did. Let us know what goes from here. BTW...go get that concealed permit. Did the petition we signed do any good??

[Valigator]

Originally posted by skeet
Glad to hear that things went as well as they did. Let us know what goes from here. BTW...go get that concealed permit. Did the petition we signed do any good??

You better believe it as one attorney was asking me questions the other was going thru all my newspaper clippings and e-mails from DOC, Davie police etc....they left the room at one time and he had the petition in his hand I printed with all the signatures, did it help? I say it helped alot....plus there were so many people who wrote in on my behalf, I am blessed to have had this much support...I appreciate it and love you all for it. Long story short, I think most definitely the petition helped.

[GoodOlBoy]

Yepo we have the castle law too. I still got my CCW permit. Why? Because of the idiots out there trying to prosecute even if they are in the wrong.

Congrats, I agree. I think you are all set.

GoodOlBoy

[popplecop]

Sounds like you made ok. I would take their advice and get a CC permit. I happen to live in one of the two states that have govenors who say that they are not needed. And if you carry a 1911 you'll be able to find it in your purse.

[Aim to maim]

I'm happy for you that things seem to be resolving themselves.

One question if I may. Why did you not already have a concealed carry permit? If you do not want to answer that for any reason, that's OK.

[fabsroman]

That is good news Valerie. Your attorney, who was present for the entire process and heard everything they had to say, will be the person in the best position to tell you how things are going. Keep your head up and keep on fighting this. As far as I am concerned, that convicted rapist/kidnapper should still be in prison, if not 6 feet under.

For everybody else:

The Castle Doctrine only applies to your home. Essentially, it allows you to shoot anybody that breaks into your home, without the need to attempt to flee your home first. In essence, a man's home is his castle. I think Florida takes this a step further and does not require a person to attempt feeling from danger (i.e., an aggressor using deadly force) before using deadly force outside of the home.

The problem with Valerie is that she was not at home when this occurred, so the Castle Doctrine would not apply, but the new law that Florida just passed might. Florida is pretty lenient about concealed carry, but I still think you need a permit for it. Now, if the weapon wasn't concealed, I have no idea what the law is about that. I have always wondered if I would get into any trouble if I were to just stroll down the sidewalk with a loaded shotgun on my shoulder. Sad thing is that I'm not willing to find out by doing it.

On the flip side of this, have any of you guys ever thought that some of these guys might be innocent? I'm pretty tough on crime myself, but more and more I have been hearing about how people have been wrongly convicted of rape. A man was set free in Texas just recently after doing 23 years for rape. A recent DNA test showed that the DNA evidence collected from the victim did not match his. I cannot imagine being locked up for 23 years of my life for a crime that I did not commit. There is also another story like this from Illinois. A bunch of guys were on death row for rape, and several years ago they were also released because the DNA evidence did not match. I think that was somewhere around 50 guys, but I could be wrong. Sometimes, you just have to wonder.

[skeet]

In the interest of "justice" the police and the prosecutors have a real need to close cases. Sometimes the leg work that should be done investigating these crimes isn't done properly or completely. Yep..we all cut corners on some things. Some of the guys you are talking about plead out to a lesser crime ...even though they didn't do the crime?? Some were found guilty after lengthy court battles.. Not standing up for the police or the court system...but some of the ones you are talking of were career criminals. Some places give ya 3 strikes on felonies and then ya get life. Not making excuses but that is the way it is. And anymore you have to prove yourself innocent rather than the powers that be proving you guilty. Half of them are tried in the newspapers and on TV insuring lots of sensationalism. Of course mistakes are made and completely innocent people are sent to jail...but remember Justice is NOT blind! or necessarily fair either.

BTW I don't think it was 50 that were turned loose at one time in Illinois...but then again ..if it was illinois...ya have to understand the liberal mindset

[muledeer]

I agree with everyone else. I can't imagine they would suggest getting a CCW, keep up the good work, etc., and then prosecute.
muledeer

[BILLY D.]

Fabs

My understanding of Floridas Castle Doctrine was that it also covered the victim anywhere, and that included outside the home.

You do not have to retreat to protect your life, that of another person or your personal property. So it also pertains to automobiles.

As I remember, the State of Florida took a lot of heat when this law was passed. The Socialists said it made property and such more important than life.

Kinda goes along with the ol' saying, "You don't hang a horsethief 'cause he stole horses, you hang 'im so he don't steal no more". Yes stealing horses had a death penalty in the old days.

I'll look up the Florida Law. Won't be for awhile though. Later this evening.

Best wishes, Bill

[GoodOlBoy]

In Texas the castle law covers your home and your vehicle(s), which is(are) now considered an extension of your home.

GoodOlBoy

[BILLY D.]

Fabs

Thumbnail sketch of Florida Castle Doctrine Law.

State Senate passed 23 March, Florida House Passed 5 April and Govenor signed 26 April. Effective Date 1 October 2005.

What does the New Law do?

One. It establishes, in law, the presumption that a criminal who forcibly enters or intrudes into your home or 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 atttacked. 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 or great bodily harm to your self "or others". [This an "American Right" repeatedly recognized in SCOTUS gun cases.]

Three. It provides that persons using force authorized by law SHALL NOT be prosecuted for using such force.

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

So it appears, athough I don't have all the facts, that Ms. Valigator warned the dirt bag to leave her alone, then retreated to her vehicle to secure a Firearm/Weapon then confronted said dirt bag. From these "facts" it would appear she did the right thing. Now if she were carrying a Weapon when first confronted by the dirt bag she would be in some trouble for a concealed weapon and no permit or prior license. Being that she retreated to her vehicle for the weapons is passible for the situation.

It is my non-professional opinion the Police Officer walked up his necktie with his golf shoes on. I had to clean that up a tad.

By her admission she acted in the proper manner. As a woman I don't think I would enjoy a track meet in a parking lot with high heels on. With my ankles I would be in a world of do do. When I participated in sports I had to use about 10 yards of tape on both ankles.

If I were Ms. Val I think I'd maintain a low profile for awhile. This might just push the dirt bag over the line and she could get hurt. Some aholes really carry a grudge. As a bare minimum I would maintain my activities to daylight hours and have someone with me.

Best wishes, Bill

[Jack]

Fabs, the number of people who have been convicted of serious crimes and released when DNA evidence proved them innocent is over 200. I don't believe that number (200) is for Illinois alone- I believe it's nationwide.
I have also heard that 100 or more of that 200 were on death row, or doing life on a murder conviction.
The Innocence Project is the outfit that has been pushing the DNA testing on those cases.