12-23-2013, 12:16 PM
If Wafer doesn't strike a plea deal and goes to trial, I think you're right about what strategy the defense attorneys will use, Cheyne.
They'll need to paint Renisha as trying to force her way into Wafer's "castle" through that locked screen door with him fearing for his life and defending it and his property when he fired the gun.
The DA stated at the arraignment that there were no signs of an attempted B&E, but I did read that there were some "possible" hand prints on the exterior screen door that hadn't been tested. Of course, there should be a lot of hand prints there. But, if they're tested and some turn out to be Renisha's, the defense will likely jump all over that.
I think the defense attorneys have a huge uphill battle, especially given Wafer's inconsistent statements as to why he shot the girl. If his original "accident' statement is allowed to be presented at trial, that's really gonna hurt him with a jury who will be asked to find him credible and to believe his later version that it was intentional and justified. IMO.
P.s. The man who shot the Alzheimer's patient for wandering into his backyard after knocking on the front door in Georgia hasn't even been charged - I think he should be. I believe LE is investigating whether the shooter was justified (via Castle Doctrine or something similar) in not waiting for police to arrive when he decided to go outside and blast the poor old man.
They'll need to paint Renisha as trying to force her way into Wafer's "castle" through that locked screen door with him fearing for his life and defending it and his property when he fired the gun.
The DA stated at the arraignment that there were no signs of an attempted B&E, but I did read that there were some "possible" hand prints on the exterior screen door that hadn't been tested. Of course, there should be a lot of hand prints there. But, if they're tested and some turn out to be Renisha's, the defense will likely jump all over that.
I think the defense attorneys have a huge uphill battle, especially given Wafer's inconsistent statements as to why he shot the girl. If his original "accident' statement is allowed to be presented at trial, that's really gonna hurt him with a jury who will be asked to find him credible and to believe his later version that it was intentional and justified. IMO.
P.s. The man who shot the Alzheimer's patient for wandering into his backyard after knocking on the front door in Georgia hasn't even been charged - I think he should be. I believe LE is investigating whether the shooter was justified (via Castle Doctrine or something similar) in not waiting for police to arrive when he decided to go outside and blast the poor old man.