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From: mrh@cybvax0.UUCP (Mike Huybensz)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Goetz annoying after awhile....
Message-ID: <318@cybvax0.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 16-Jan-85 23:39:16 EST
Article-I.D.: cybvax0.318
Posted: Wed Jan 16 23:39:16 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 20-Jan-85 01:37:22 EST
References: <3279@alice.UUCP> <1168@teddy.UUCP>
Reply-To: mrh@cybvax0.UUCP (Mike Huybensz)
Organization: Cybermation, Inc., Cambridge, MA
Lines: 37
Summary: 

I'm so tired of reading pro and con Goetz flames that I'm gonna take
revenge.  I'm going to cite the closest things to facts I can find.
[I don't expect that will stop the flames, but it might channel them.]

NY Assistant District Attorney Susan Braver:
"... alleges that Goetz pulled out his gun and shot two of the youths in
the back as they moved away from him.  'Then he methodically fired at
two others who fled in the opposite direction,' Braver alleged... 'By
his admission, he intended to kill every one of them.'"
Source:  Jan 4 Boston Globe.

Forensic things like shots in the back are pretty hard to be mistaken about.
Admissions of intent to kill to police in another state are also pretty
hard to be mistaken about, though they might be bravado.

Carrying the gun was clearly illegal.  Not an uncommon or unreasonable
practice (I lived in NYC also), but illegal.

Shooting more than necessary in self-defense is also illegal.  It seems
rather obvious that shooting people fleeing is excessive.  Heat of battle
is not a reasonable excuse: that's one of the reasons why there are gun
laws.  And it would also be irresponsible for Goetz to have insufficient
training in the application of lethal force.

I consider Goetz to be a prime example of the irresponsibility that cannot
be tolerated if we are going to have a more heavily armed society.  I
consider one of my friends to be the opposite: he held a shotgun on the
man who had just [fatally] shot his father, until the police arrived.
Our society could afford alot more people like that armed with very few
unjust deaths.  The same could not be said about Goetz.

[Caveat: the above assumes that Goetz is guilty.  That's merely my opinion
based on the DA's statement, subject to revision as more information
becomes available.]
-- 

Mike Huybensz		...decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!cybvax0!mrh