Man Who Videotaped Himself Shooting Neighbor Convicted of Murder

Jury didn't buy his "stand your ground" defense

A Texan ex-firefighter, Raul Rodriguez, was convicted of murder for killing his unarmed neighbor during a drunken shouting match over loud music.

The jury didn't buy Rodriguez's "stand your ground" defense, even though they were shown a video Rodriguez had helpfully made of himself saying "I'm standing my ground" before pulling the trigger. The video contains graphic language and gunshot sounds, but doesn't show the shooting itself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVV1_6HYtnI

Rodriguez says several times during the video, "I'm in fear of my life," presumably to emphasize that he's acting in self-defense. But prosecutors convinced the jury that the "stand your ground" rule didn't apply in this case, because Rodriguez intentionally provoked his neighbor, 36-year-old elementary school teacher Kelly Danaher, before shooting him. Rodriguez now faces a life sentence.

What do you think - was Rodriguez justified in pulling the trigger?

[LeslieAbi]

Trigger happy much? Why video tape yourself shooting someone else? That could never work in your favor. Don't shoot people anyway unless you really are in harms way, not over being too loud! Good deal. Glad this guy is in prison.

[ir0nw0lfe]

Idiot. Nice of him to provide the evidence of his crime. This guy is the reason liberals want to trash Castle doctrine and Stand Your Ground laws. And yes, murder is a crime, even in pro-gun Texas. Guess it goes to show that these laws aren't just white wash for murder.

[Bobolinsky]

Saw that video a while ago. He was just asking for escalation.

[dances-weebles]

no

[Elise]

No, he's not justified and he's too stupid to own a gun. What an ass.

[docholiday]

The last laugh here was the dead guy!

[dustyoutlaw]

This is just unbelievable. Just typical nonsense.

[Thumper]

Apparently the police wasnt doing their job.

The guy would have had a better chance if he had been stationed at Ft Hood and was a muslim.

[Bobolinsky]

Anyone notice how even the us gun-loving, violent right wingers aren't on this guy's side? Jus' Sayin'

[bajo]

That is why is it good to have a set of laws that protects everyone. You need some rules when it comes to guns....

[Truthinesss]

They were being loud, so he should've called the police and let them handle it. Flashing a gun beforehand isn't a good way to try and prove innocence. "I'm gonna have to defend myself...."? This guy should've never brought it outside.

[FollowTheMoney]

What a dumb ass. It's the spirit of the law not the letter of the law. Duh...

[Hurricane74]

Good to see some sense down in Texas.

[MzPollytics]

He will havea long time to reflect. Wonder how loud those prisoners will be?

[Jackie312gm]

Ignorant fool, freaking dummy pulling a weapon over loud music. This is commosenseless a real practitioner of assholelism with a gun. A trained individual would have taking this fool down asap!!