If you have ever thought about what you might do if your life were threatened, you are not alone. Many people have thought about what they would do in various situations where they were at risk of being hurt or killed by another person. The possible scenarios are endless, from home invasions to getting mugged in a parking lot, to just about anything you could imagine and many odd situations that you couldn’t possibly think up until they happen.
Some people arm themselves to be prepared in the event of an event like those described above. Others keep firearms or other items they could use to defend themselves in their homes. Still others become skilled in martial arts and other forms of self-defense, which prepares them to protect themselves from harm whether they pursue those skills with that intention in mind or not. Whether a person is prepared to defend themselves or not, they may find themselves in a situation where they face a threat in the form of another person, and they must decide what to do. Sometimes, running or some other means of escape is available, sometimes not. Sometimes, a gun or other item that is or could be used as a weapon is available, sometimes not. The threat from the other person could be obvious, such as a knife held to your ribs or a gun pointed in your direction. Threats, threatening body language, and other more subtle observations you may make about a situation or a person can lead you to a realization that you are in danger.
If you face a situation in which you may need to defend yourself, you might not have much time to weigh your options. Sometimes, after the fact, things can come to light about the situation you were in that might make your actions at the time seem more reasonable or less reasonable. However, it is critical that Texans know that they are allowed to defend themselves. In Texas, self-defense is a legal defense to murder and assault charges. A recent situation in Garland is an example of a situation in which a defendant might choose to claim self-defense if police file charges against him.
The driver of a vehicle was shot and killed in a road rage incident in Garland, but it is possible that murder charges will not be filed against the shooter. Surveillance video of the street where the shooting occurred shows the driver of a vehicle throwing a bottle at a pickup truck. The bottle shattered the window of the truck, and then the driver of the pickup truck started shooting. After shooting, the driver of the pickup truck went to a police station to report what had happened and has been entirely cooperative with the law enforcement officials who are investigating the incident. It is reported that the driver of the pickup truck fired shots because he thought that a gunshot shattered his window.
If you are accused of a crime in Texas, your rights and your freedom are at stake. Contact a Texas criminal defense attorney immediately, and take the first step towards resolving your Texas criminal law matter. Call Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Alex Tyra today, at (903) 753-7499.