Shed Booby Trap = Murder One Conviction

[Diggin It]

JONESBORO A Union County jury on Thursday convicted a man of first-degree murder after a booby-trapped shotgun killed another man on his rural property in 2018.

The state contended that Wasmund rigged a shotgun to a rope connected to the door of a shed on his property that, when opened, would fire the gun at the person trying to enter the shed. He called it a spring gun. The defense contended that Wasmund did not set the gun, but had complained often of theft on the property and pointed to evidence to suggest Spicer was there to steal.

Thomas Mansfield, Wasmund's defense attorney, argued that Spicer's actions are what caused his own death ignoring the no trespassing sign, the nailed-shut shed door and the "Caution do not enter" sign on the shed, then breaking the lock on the shed door.

A key part of Wasmund's defense was the question as to whether he even set the spring gun himself. A primary witness for the state was Roger Ellet, who said he was there the day it was set. Wasmund told him about it as he was loading things from the shed into his truck, Ellet testified. Ellet said he told many people about the trap and about his concerns. However, Mansfield tried his best to point out inconsistencies in Ellet's testimony and the interview he gave to police in January.

Mansfield said yes, that the multiple accounts of Wasmund complaining about theft at his property and his previous attempts to prevent them, namely digging a hole in front of the door and affixing razor blades to the door, all of which Mansfield said had failed. However, he restated that all of this was irrelevant if the jury could believe Wasmund did not set the trap himself, something he worked to prove during testimony.

Chester man convicted in booby-trap murder | Crime/Courts | thesouthern.com

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Perfect example on why the 3rd "S" in "SSS" is for "Shut Up".

 

[Industrial Toys]

When Elmer Fudd did stuff like that, someone (usually him) just got a blackened face.

 

[tookielee]

I hope it gets overturned... no sympathy for a thief

 

[drssg]

I’m no expert, but I wouldn’t expect something like this to be deemed justifiable homicide. He wasn’t in immediate fear for his life. He was just trying to protect the contents of his shed.

I also don’t feel sorry for the guy breaking in, but that’s not a good plan for home defense, IMO.

 

[/pine]

The reasons to own a backhoe are endless...!

 

[Rustyiron]

.......or a big chipper!

 

[wheelbuilder]

.......or a big chipper!

And some hogs...

 

[k0ua]

And some hogs...

"Woo, Swingen, Hang dai !"


$5, and Mr. Woo and his hogs would help you out

 

[fried1765]

.......or a big chipper!

Be VERY sure to CLEAN the chipper, CAREFULLY!
Many years ago, a rental chipper was used for said purpose in Connecticutt.
The cops located the rental shop, impounded the chipper, and did forensic work.
They found microscopic evidence of human flesh, and the chipper renter was convicted.

 

[radios1]

all because the owner was not on the property at the time!!.. "Mansfield contended that, based on the tools found at the scene, and the very fact that the gun was triggered when the door to the shed was opened, that Spicer was on the property that night to commit burglary, a felony. This, he said, justified the use of force under Illinois law.

“There is no doubt that the law gives William Wasmund the right to use deadly force,” Mansfield said during closing arguments.

Goetten argued that because Wasmund was not on the property during the incident, the question of his decision to use deadly force was moot. He said someone had to be there to make that decision.

“The gun doesn’t act reasonably,” Gotten said. “The gun just acts.”

 

[Industrial Toys]

A guy once rented a chipper to deal with the wifey. Parked it on a bridge over a river which I thought brilliant. They found the tiniest piece of dental work in the river and convicted him. Gotta hate this forensic stuff!

 

[tjkubota93]

I thought it was common knowledge that shotgun traps were illegal.

That said, sounds like the theif got a heavy dose of instant karma. At least he wont be a drain on society now.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Something like a leg hold trap, might have given the perp, a litle time to think of what his life had amounted to though.

 

[k0ua]

I thought it was common knowledge that shotgun traps were illegal.

That said, sounds like the theif got a heavy dose of instant karma. At least he wont be a drain on society now.

I believe they are illegal everywhere. I know for sure they are here in Missouri.

 

[radios1]

I believe they are illegal everywhere. I know for sure they are here in Missouri.

because a person has to make the decision to fire.. the is also the question of WHO set the trap, for a criminal trial, "the standard of proof in criminal trials is “beyond a reasonable doubt.” That is, the prosecution must prove that the defendant is guilty of the crime(s) charged to the extent that no reasonable person could have a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty."

 

[radios1]

A guy once rented a chipper to deal with the wifey. Parked it on a bridge over a river which I thought brilliant. They found the tiniest piece of dental work in the river and convicted him. Gotta hate this forensic stuff!

which is why he needed to soak the parts in bleach, which destroys any DNA!..

 

[Thomas]

To bad it came to that but I don't feel sorry the thief.

 

[kenmac]

Around here, the vultures would have devoured the evidence in hours

 

[Industrial Toys]

The parts were lying spread out and washed down river.