WA: One Charge Dropped in "Joe Biden Defense" case, another Threatened

Jeffrey C. Barton

The man who fired a shotgun in the air to scare off car burglars, following Vice President Joe Biden's advice, has had the charge involved with the shooting dropped, according to the Columbian:

A person, even in a no-shooting zone, still has the right to defend their person or their property,” Golik said. “In this case, based on the facts, there is a reasonable argument that Mr. Barton may have been defending his person and property when he fired in the air.

Jeffrey C. Barton has an NRA supplied attorney, and says that a threat of a charge of "Obstructing a law enforcement officer" is also without merit:

Barton said the obstruction charge also is groundless. 

“Tony Golik is desperately grasping at straws” to keep out of a civil suit, Barton said. “They have to charge me with something; they’ve let this go on too long.”

The obstructing charge has not yet been made.  Mr. Barton pled not guilty to the charge of illegally discharging a firearm in July of 2013, over a year ago.

 Prosecutors have enormous power, and significant immunity.   It may not be enough to shield Clark County Prosecutor Tony Golik in this case.

 ©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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