GA: Self Defense Shooting Leaves One Man In Hospital: "Ronnie Crawford, 49, was shot early Wednesday morning after Richmond County Sheriff’s Office investigators say he attacked his roommate. The incident happened around 1:00 p.m. at the Augusta Lodge, on Gordon Highway. Investigators say say 64-year-old Martin Smiley told Crawford to leave, when an argument started. That’s when they say Crawford went after Smiley with a cane. Smiley shot at him, hitting him in the hand and thigh. Smiley will not be charged, but Crawford, who is a convicted felon, will."


NC: Elderly mother Shot Son In Self Defense: "Joel Hill at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office say 50 year old Michael Varnadore got into an argument with his mother Mary Jean Varnadore Monday night that resulted in a shooting. The report says Varnadore shoved his 70 year old mother onto a bed at her home on Star Circle in Cowpens. Deputies say the mother shot Varnadore in the leg. They say Varnadore was treated and released for Upstate Carolina Medical Center and was arrested and charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature."


Louisiana: One home invader shot, other escapes: "18 year old Jeremy Bell was shot to death in an altercation with Martin Gobert. Shreveport police Gobert say was the victim in this case. Detectives believe Bell forced his way in Gobert’s front door after his cousin, Jerome Hughes knocked to draw him out. When Gobert came to the door, police say Bell forced his way in and began beating him with an assault rifle in an attempt to rob him. After a struggle, Gobert is believed to have wrestled the weapon away from Bell and turn it on his attacker. Hughes fled, and is still on the loose. Detectives have recovered evidence from the crime scene including the rifle believed to have been used in the shooting, and have issued a warrant for Hughes’ arrest, charging him with one count of home invasion. The bond is set at $250,000. Martin Gobert was beaten severely enough to require hospitalization, but he is expected to recover. Shreveport Police detectives have not charged him in connection with the fatal shooting."


Court restricts Taser-happy police: "A federal appeals court this week ruled that a California police officer can be held liable for injuries suffered by an unarmed man he Tasered during a traffic stop. The decision, if allowed to stand, would set a rigorous legal precedent for when police are permitted to use the weapons and would force some law enforcement agencies throughout the state — and presumably the nation — to tighten their policies governing Taser use, experts said. Michael Gennaco, an expert in police conduct issues who has conducted internal reviews of Taser use for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and other agencies, said the ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals prohibits officers from deploying Tasers in a host of scenarios and largely limits their use to situations in which a person poses an obvious danger. "This decision talks about the need for an immediate threat...Tasering for "passive resistance" is out the door now... The unanimous ruling, issued Monday by a three-judge panel, stemmed from a 2005 encounter in which a former Coronado, Calif., police officer, Brian McPherson, stopped a man for failing to wear a seat belt while driving".