The Right to Self-Defense

I was not following what happened in Oklahoma until I read that the NAACP was getting involved. The case involves a white pharmacist who shot and killed an armed black teenager during a attempted robbery. It is a case that involves race and how each side has different points of view.

The back story of the case involves 57 year old Jerome Ersland. Mr. Ersland is white man and works as a Pharmacist at Reliable Discount Pharmacy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Antwun Parker is a 16 year old black teenager, described by his mother to be a jokester. How did these two individuals lives cross paths?

On May 19, 2009, Jerome Ersland was at his place of employment, working and doing his job requirements as a Pharmacist. To him it was probably just another day of working for a living. What he didn't know was that this day would be one that would change his life forever.

In walks 16 year old, Antwun Parker and his friend, 14 year old Jevontia Ingram. Usually, this wouldn't have been a problem. However, both of them had ski masks pulled over their faces and both were wielding guns. Immediately, they pointed their weapons at Jerome Ersland and two other workers and demanded drugs and money.

The two female coworkers ran to the back of the store. Mr. Ersland, a disabled veteran who wears a device that restricts his movements, reached for his .380 caliber pistol. He fired one shot and hit Antwun Parker in the head. Mr. Parker immediately collapsed to the floor and his so-called best friend, Jevontia Ingram, ran out of the store.

Mr. Ersland followed and it is reported that he fired two more shots at the suspect. Mr. Ersland reentered the pharmacy and stepped behind the counter. Once there, he retrieve another firearm and shot Antwun Parker 5 more times in the abdomen.

The medical examiner determined that Antwum Parker was still alive, even though he had a head wound, and that the 5 shots that were fired into his abdomen was what killed Mr. Parker. Oklahoma law allows you to defend yourself but was this self defense or murder?

After the release of the surveillance video, prosecutors filled first degree murder charges against Jerome Ersland. They concluded that even though Jerome Ersland had the right to use force in self defense, however the action of shooting Mr. Parker 5 additional times while he was unconscious was out of the scope of self defense.

Two individuals, two actions and two different outcomes. Due to his decision to be a thug, Antwun Parker got himself killed. By his actions, Mr. Parker caused Mr. Ersland to react and defend himself and others in the store. Due to his actions, Mr. Ersland is now charge with 1st degree murder.

Each side has their point of view. From one perspective, you will hear that the teen-aged thug got his just deserves. From the other perspective, he didn't deserve to die in that way. Both sides are wrong because this is not a race issue. It has everything to do about law.

Some would love to make this a case about race. If this had been a black pharmacist, would there be this much news coverage? I seriously doubt it. Why do certain organizations and individuals only come out when its a white on black situation? Because people like Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and groups like the NAACP want us to be against each other.

There is an old saying. "I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6." Mr. Ersland will be judged by 12 of his peers and Mr. Parker was carried by 6 of his. Its a sad outcome that could have been prevented. However, most are scared to speak out and be openly honest about the situation.

Some will ask "why wasn't a 14 and 16 year old in school?" Some will ask "where did they get the guns to commit such crimes?" And yet others will ask "why did they do such a thing?"

When you do not place an importance on education, your children will not think education is important. If you do not teach your children to respect and obey the law, they respect nobody and break every law. Parents are the biggest impact a child will ever have. Its just a shame that not all parents take this point of view.

We now learn from Mr. Parker's mother that he started hanging with a bad group of kids. My question is this: "Why would you allow your child to hang with kids that you know are bad? Do you not hold some responsibilities for what happened? I blame you!

The story continues to the arrest of two older men who are reported to be the masterminds of the deadly hold-up. They have also been charge with 1st degree murder. Interesting thing is how the mother of 14 year old also had a helping hand in this story.

Jevontia Ingram's mother, Natasha Spigner, had dated one of the two men that have been charged with 1st degree murder. Anthony Devale Morrison was in her son's life because she put him there. Mr. Morrison, who has a history of robbery and assault convictions was an influence on her son.

Who was at fault for this individual being around her son? It was you, Natasha Spigner. Nobody else can be blamed for you sons actions but you.

That's the problem with today's society. Blame everyone but the one's who are guilty. Had both of these mother's taken an interest in their child's well being, this outcome would have never happened.

Both of them would have been in school instead of outside of it committing a felony. Mr. Ersland would have been just doing his job and living life. The choices you made as parents had an impact on those teen aged boys.

I'm a strong defender of the law. What Mr. Ersland did on May 19, 2009 will be heard by a judge and jury. Mr. Ersland did not ask to be put in this situation, but his actions were decided by two teenagers with bad influences.

Was it self defense or murder? By reviewing the video surveillance tape, it is obvious that Mr. Parker was down. However, I was not there and do not know what state of mind Mr. Ersland was in.

Did he go to far in the act of self defense? Is he quilty of murder? That will be decided by law.