With the rise in violence across Greeley, Keenesburg, and Milliken, citizens are on edge, and have a right to be. The recent death of the Colorado prison chief by someone allegedly coming to his door and gunning him down in his own house has done little to appease those fears. These apprehensions may have led a Colorado man to act in a way that police view as too aggressive when he tried to defend his home against someone who repeatedly rang his doorbell and ran away. The man heard the “doorbell ditchers” continuously ring his doorbell and went outside. He fired two shots from his firearm into the ground to alert the troublemakers to leave him alone.
When police responded to reports that shots had been fired, they were not pleased with the explanation given by the man and charged him with Reckless Endangerment (CRS 18-3-208), Unlawful (Illegal) Discharge of a Firearm (CRS 18-12-107.5), and Unlawful Use of a Firearm or Prohibited Use of Weapons (CRS 18-12-106). We always advise people to keep silent and asked for a lawyer immediately. Most police respect and honor the right to remain silent.
In this day and age, it could have been anyone coming to his house. The man was not sure of their intent. Perhaps it was a few teens having fun, but it could have been someone with something more sinister in mind. Rightfully, the man did not want to take the chance that someone was targeting his house without exercising his right to defend it.
Because of recent political turmoil regarding gun control, Weld County District Attorneys and police officers in Erie, Evans, and Greeley are over reacting to every gun complaint. District Attorneys constantly over-charge defendants to give them charges to plead down to in a plea agreement. This man needs to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to help successfully defend himself from what can be serious felony charges. A guilty plea to any charge stays on a person’s record permanently, and this man should be cautious in any deals offered to him by the District Attorney.
If police contact you regarding any felony or misdemeanor charges, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.