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No sheephitters

Tam:

A lawyer friend on the intertubes likes to point out that, once you’re in the courtroom, it’s all about selling your side of the story to the judge and jury. You don’t want to make it harder for your attorney to sell that story.

Well, this police officer took heat from the press for his AR dust cover that said “you’re fucked”. And his trial is ongoing. I’m guessing he may regret that.

19 Responses to “No sheephitters”

  1. SPQR Says:

    As Tam implies, this kind of good advice gets the most bizarre “rebuttals” on gun forums.

  2. mikee Says:

    So would a deeply sincere etching, such as “Self Defense Use Only!” be any help during a trial? Or should one just NOT express anything personal on a tool that might be evidence in a trial, at all?

  3. Tam Says:

    Juries probably don’t dig smartasses, either.

    (I’m so boned.)

  4. Firehand Says:

    I get the feeling that a lot of the people who put such on a CCW are doing it with the knowledge that the likelihood they’ll actually have to shoot is very low, therefore the chance of that causing a problem is low.

    Which doesn’t change that if you become one of those 3-5% who have to shoot, it may be a real problem for you with the investigators, and/or in court.

  5. SPQR Says:

    Moi aussi, Tam

  6. Erik Says:

    How would an etching on his gun be relevant evidence? Does it negate any and all reasons to pull the trigger of that gun? Do killers inherently have these dust covers? Did it make the gun more dangerous? Or is it like that Oriantal tattoo that you think says “Be With Peace” but it really says “First 15 minutes free.”

    The point is, a good shoot is a good shoot. The rules of evidence are in place to protect your rights.

  7. Publius Says:

    @Erik,

    It might be perceived as premeditation, ill intent, or a possible pre-existing desire to shoot someone.

    Should it matter is a different question, but in the real world it might–and, in this case, it did. At best, it’s an additional thing to try to explain away if it comes up. YMMV. Also, IANAL.

    Personally, I prefer Fudd guns and revolvers, with no added adornments, partly for this reason.

  8. SPQR Says:

    Erik, you are the prime example. Did you completely miss the point, as is so typical in this discussions? Do you not understand that the weapon will be an exhibit? Do you not understand that the “rules of evidence” do not exclude its decoration and that it will be shown to the jury, if not also mentioned in a prosecutor’s closing argument?

  9. Tam Says:

    /me looks at comment #6

    “No more witnesses, Your Honor. The Prosecution rests.”

  10. SPQR Says:

    😂

  11. SDN Says:

    Just more proof we actually have neither First or Second Amendment rights.

  12. Tam Says:

    No, that’s not what it is at all.

  13. Old NFO Says:

    Wow, folks need to understand that the prosecution lawyer is going to use ANYTHING they can to hang your ass… Anything other than plain Jane roll marks and standard grips IS going to be called into question, and will be used to paint you as an (insert phobia here) just out to kill anybody not like you. The more they trash you, the better chance they have of getting their client off, or his/her family a butt ton of money out of your ass.

  14. rickn8or Says:

    Mas Ayoob made this argument several years ago re: Roll Your Own defense loads. “Oh, regular bullets weren’t deadly enough for you!”

    (The same argument could be made for hollow points vs. ball ammo.)

  15. Patrick Henry, the 2nd Says:

    This is probably the first case where any etching has been used.

    This argument used to go on with hollow points. We know now that’s a dumb argument.

    So Tam is wrong, etching want you want is fine.

  16. Will Says:

    “This argument used to go on with hollow points. We know now that’s a dumb argument.”

    You’re not familiar with NJ, are you? I think NYFC may be similar with the anti-hollow point police hysteria and laws. (caught in public with HP loads in your gun/magazines? $1000/each round in fines, in Jersey)

    The point is, that “dumb” is not pertinent. Laws, regulations, and history/customs are. Not to mention human nature, of course.

  17. rickn8or Says:

    I’m familiar with NJ; that’s why every trip I made there I was at PA Exit 1 throwing my carry ammo in the creek and locking my gats up in the back of the truck. (Ca. seven years ago.)

  18. Ron W Says:

    “The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.” –Tacitus, Roman historian (55-120)

  19. Tam Says:

    The point-missing going on, especially by rickn8or and “Patrick Henry the 2nd” (LOLZ) is epic.

    This is not even about something the prosecution would bring up or mention in court. It wouldn’t be on a transcript. It wouldn’t be in the verdict.

    But y’all go on and do you, boo.

Remember, I do this to entertain me, not you.

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