Alexander Weiss - Trial Begins Today

rpseraph · May 1, 2019, 12:05 PM

Hey everyone, this case just started today near me in Minnesota. Wondering what you guys think about the situation.

Local News story...

Basically... I believe there was a car accident, everyone gets out of the car. Argument ensues, Mr. Weiss said he felt his life was threatened by the victim's passenger. He goes back to his car, gets his gun. Victim approached him and allegedly reached for his gun, gets shot and dies.

This is tough. I think he is screwed in court because it seems like he had a number of chances to leave, de-escalate, walk away, etc.

I can say that when I am carrying, if I feel threatened or offended or whatever, I'm gone. I'm de-escalating and walking away. The LAST thing I want to do is kill someone.

mehavey · May 1, 2019, 05:49 PM

More here with a bit of different slant as to how it went down....
http://www.citypages.com/news/witnes...iver/469774653

the comments are also a bit "interesting"

zukiphile · May 2, 2019, 11:00 AM

Quote:

The LAST thing I want to do is kill someone.

Maybe second to last.

Fender benders generate a lot of assault charges, but leaving the scene is also going to be a problem. Depending on the circumstance staying in the car can be smart.

**Aguila Blanca** · May 2, 2019, 01:40 PM

A reminder: This is the Law and Civil Rights discussion area, not the Tactics discussion area. So far we have two posts offering two news reports that don't say anything about legal principles.

What legal issues led to the posting of this thread?

rpseraph · May 2, 2019, 02:05 PM

Quote:

What legal issues led to the posting of this thread?

Well the trial began yesterday, and I think that the news stories offer some context to the rule in Minnesota of "A Duty to Retreat." That means that lethal force has to be a last option when there is no option to retreat. Obviously, like many self-defense laws, this is pretty grey. I think that discussing the other options he may have had to fulfill the burden of "duty of retreat" is a valuable one.

Quote:

Depending on the circumstance staying in the car can be smart.

This sounds like a viable option, not having witnessed the incident.

It seems like this guy didn't fulfill that duty to retreat and may or may not have fallen prey to the victim's egging-on.

manta49 · May 2, 2019, 02:28 PM

Sounds like road rage with guns.

**Aguila Blanca** · May 2, 2019, 03:01 PM

So far, I see no discussion of either laws or civil rights, but I do see discussions about tactics. Feel free to discuss the wisdom of staying in your vehicle in the Tactics and Training discussion area. If future reports on this trial touch on legal issues, we can re-open this thread to discuss the legal issues.

May 1, 2019, 12:05 PM	#1
rpseraph Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2015 Location: MinneSNOWta Posts: 454	Alexander Weiss - Trial Begins Today Hey everyone, this case just started today near me in Minnesota. Wondering what you guys think about the situation. Local News story... Basically... I believe there was a car accident, everyone gets out of the car. Argument ensues, Mr. Weiss said he felt his life was threatened by the victim's passenger. He goes back to his car, gets his gun. Victim approached him and allegedly reached for his gun, gets shot and dies. This is tough. I think he is screwed in court because it seems like he had a number of chances to leave, de-escalate, walk away, etc. I can say that when I am carrying, if I feel threatened or offended or whatever, I'm gone. I'm de-escalating and walking away. The LAST thing I want to do is kill someone.

May 1, 2019, 05:49 PM	#2
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	More here with a bit of different slant as to how it went down.... http://www.citypages.com/news/witnes...iver/469774653 the comments are also a bit "interesting"

May 2, 2019, 01:40 PM	#4
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	A reminder: This is the Law and Civil Rights discussion area, not the Tactics discussion area. So far we have two posts offering two news reports that don't say anything about legal principles. What legal issues led to the posting of this thread?

May 2, 2019, 02:28 PM	#6
manta49 Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2011 Location: N Ireland. UK. Posts: 1,809	Sounds like road rage with guns.

May 2, 2019, 03:01 PM	#7
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	So far, I see no discussion of either laws or civil rights, but I do see discussions about tactics. Feel free to discuss the wisdom of staying in your vehicle in the Tactics and Training discussion area. If future reports on this trial touch on legal issues, we can re-open this thread to discuss the legal issues.