Warning to Christian Martialist Sheepdogs

You did not want to kill him. He had put you and your loved ones in jeopardy of your lives, and you had no other choice than to take his life. You did everything right, morally and legally.

Now the police want you to make a statement. Just routine, you understand. The officer is a nice guy, and has made it obvious that he understands and is on your side. So, you tell your story truthfully and simply, right? And then, you wind up behind bars.

Oops.

Thanks to G.N. for the links to a class presentation at Regents University Law School. It may change how you interact with the police from now on.

Part one:



Part two:



Part three:



Part four:



The unwarranted assumption, as we are taught in our civics classes, is that the police enter every investigation with an open mind, searching for probable cause that leads them to suspects. Then they weigh the evidence to see if there is enough to charge the suspect with a crime.

The truth is that police officers have all the same limitations and prejudices as other human beings. If a woman is murdered, 90% of the time it's the husband or boy-friend. If your wife dies violently, who becomes the #1 suspect? Operating on that assumption, the officer begins to look for evidence to convict you.

Let's go back to the scenario at the beginning of this post. The very fact that the orc is dead, makes him the victim in the eyes of too many officers. "Police suspect that the killing took place over a drug deal gone bad. Film at eleven."

This because the "victim" was a known drug dealer.

Now, add to the mix the fact that people who carry both guns and Bibles are viewed as dangerous extremists in many quarters of the law enforcement community. Perhaps you are still clutching your own Bible as you say, "We were just coming out of prayer meeting, when this deranged person accosted us with a knife."

"Sir, do you often carry a gun with you to church?" Uh-oh, extremist alert!

And that's not even considering the legal problems of shooting someone armed with a knife. Judges & juries have been known to see that as use of unnecessary force -- after all, he only had a knife. Yep, it's ludicrous, but it has happened.

It isn't what you may have been taught. It definitely isn't right. But your innocence may not protect you from overzealous police and prosecutors. So exercise your right against self-incrimination -- respectfully -- until you speak with your attorney.

And pray. 'Nuff said.