Thread: not again

Originally Posted by Rich007

This is a really sad situation. While the actions of the land owner are in no way justifiable, I can see how it ended up happening. Unfortunately there looks to be a mental health issue that wasn't addressed as well (the living with pigs).

It is a sad situation, particularly sad in todays age that it was allowed to escalate to the point that an elderly gentleman feared for his life. Under the law, his actions may very well have been justifiable because under NZ law you are allowed to use equal and opposite force if you fear for your life, or those around you, particularly on your own property. It is now up to the court to decide if he feared for his life.
As for mental health issues, all I've seen so far is an old guy that enjoys having live pigs on his property, bit of a recluse, but well spoken and very popular. How he decides to live or how any pigs he may have doesnt constitute a "mental health" issue - hes just different to how you and I choose to go through life. The justice system also needs to be very careful that perceived "mental health" issues dont preclude the poor guy fearing for his life.

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

It is a sad situation, particularly sad in todays age that it was allowed to escalate to the point that an elderly gentleman feared for his life. Under the law, his actions may very well have been justifiable because under NZ law you are allowed to use equal and opposite force if you fear for your life, or those around you, particularly on your own property. It is now up to the court to decide if he feared for his life.
As for mental health issues, all I've seen so far is an old guy that enjoys having live pigs on his property, bit of a recluse, but well spoken and very popular. How he decides to live or how any pigs he may have doesnt constitute a "mental health" issue - hes just different to how you and I choose to go through life. The justice system also needs to be very careful that perceived "mental health" issues dont preclude the poor guy fearing for his life.

I'm told there are a few more details to come out that aren't mine to share but come from someone who was close to the situation.

I agree with you in that he deserved to have been treated better by the numerous poachers and I hope he gets a fair trial.

Originally Posted by Rich007

I'm told there are a few more details to come out that aren't mine to share but come from someone who was close to the situation.

I agree with you in that he deserved to have been treated better by the numerous poachers and I hope he gets a fair trial.

And we shouldn't share them. The thing is that this man deserves a fair trial, and part of that is an unbiased jury. It looks like most people sympathise with him, but sharing even sympathetic narratives about him, or information about the victim, might end up having a negative or unintended consequence.