Haven't heard much about this case

[Billybob]

Oklahoma pastor accused of murdering son-in-law testifies in own defense, closing arguments Friday

Michael Elder, a pastor at Cross Baptist Church, is accused of shooting and killing his estranged son-in-law, Gary Davidson, during a family fight last February...

For the first time the jury heard stories of Michael Elder and Gary Davidson’s alleged good relationship.

But Elder says when he heard April was allegedly being abused, he called upon church members including convicted felon Steven Kirby to be there as he confronted Gary.

As that confrontation turned violent, Elder and April Davidson immediately began telling a story of protection.

Defense consultant David McKenzie says, “You don’t have to have deadly force used against you to use deadly force.”

But prosecutors say Elder’s claim of self-defense, or defense of April Davidson, is a stretch considering a jail phone conversation with his daughter. He told her quote “I hope you told the same story I did.”

The jury heard texts Elder sent to Kirby, saying, “He’s been threatening April, I think he needs an attitude adjustment.”

The prosecution also found a Facebook status from Steven Kirby saying, “Don’t let these two old men fool you, we can still run any young man into the ground.”

http://kfor.com/2014/03/06/oklahoma...on-in-law-to-take-stand-in-own-defense-today/

Self defense? Good or bad light for gun owners?

 

[CBCollier]

I don't know all of the details of the case for sure, but I think I remember someone saying he (the pastor) had a CC permit. Now, if that is true and he turns out to be guilty, and he used his ability to have a firearm concealed on his person, I think it most definitely casts a bad light for those that are responsibly CC permit holders. Of course, any story can be spun to cast a bad light on any situation.

 

[Billybob]

I don't know all of the details of the case for sure, but I think I remember someone saying he (the pastor) had a CC permit. Now, if that is true and he turns out to be guilty, and he used his ability to have a firearm concealed on his person, I think it most definitely casts a bad light for those that are responsibly CC permit holders. Of course, any story can be spun to cast a bad light on any situation.

I wasn't thinking of permit holders but gun owners in general. He hears allegations that his adult daughter is being abused so instead of him or his daughter going to the police he takes his gun and other people with him to confront the SIL for possibly what he himself described as an "attitude adjustment"?
How about the jail conversation, why would he need to make sure the daughter told the same story as him?

 

[CBCollier]

Sounded to me like he went looking for trouble. I'm with you, gotta go to the police first and go try to do the right thing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Billybob]

Sounded to me like he went looking for trouble. I'm with you, gotta go to the police first and go try to do the right thing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's most likely how the anti crowd will advertise it.

 

[BReeves]

Good example of being careful what you say and post on-line

 

[Sanford]

I'm wondering ... as far as going to the police - would they even listen to a father about an adult daughter? If they did take an interest, visited the daughter, and saw no physical evidence of abuse would they go any farther? If she told them there was nothing wrong, out of fear or otherwise?

 

[Billybob]

Here's more details,

Pickup at center of Oklahoma City pastor's murder case

Cordis said he and Elder were acting on April Davidson's authority and within their rights to repossess the pickup, which was jointly owned by the couple...

Davidson was fatally shot after jumping into the pickup, which April Davidson testified she returned in exchange for the couple's daughter.

When Gary Davidson refused to hand over the girl, April Davidson got in the pickup and drove away, she testified.

Prosecutors allege Elder ran after the pickup and fired several shots at Gary Davidson, who was in the rear passenger seat...

http://newsok.com/pickup-at-center-of-oklahoma-city-pastors-murder-case/article/3843596

 

[Billybob]

Oklahoma pastor convicted of first degree manslaughter

Pastor Michael Elder was convicted of first degree manslaughter shortly before midnight...

Legal experts believe the jury’s decision might have been a compromise if they couldn’t all agree.

They didn’t think the shooting was premeditated, but they also weren’t convinced Elder was afraid for his daughter’s life...

On February 20th of last year, Elder fired three shots at Davidson, something consultant David McKenzie says could have been what sealed his fate.

“Perhaps one shot was fine,” says McKenzie. “But the last two were excessive.”

Elder claims the stories of alleged domestic abuse, Davidson’s alleged drug use and weapons in the form of tools at an arm’s length, all made him not want to take any chances.

“That was his position on why he continued to fire at him,” says McKenzie. “I guess the jury must have seen it another way.”

Prosecutors argued threatening text-messages and Facebook posts prove Elder acted out of anger and not fear when he shot Davidson.

They also argued that Davidson was conveniently scary to April. The two had sex after she claimed he abused her...

The jury suggested a sentence of 15 years for Pastor Elder...

http://kfor.com/2014/03/08/oklahoma-pastor-convicted-of-first-degree-manslaughter/

 

[Perplexed]

Good example of being careful what you say and post on-line

This. I've seen quite a few comments right here on OSA that were probably best left untyped.