Colorado’s “make my day” law has been invoked again, blocking prosecution of a man who killed his neighbor in a dispute over a dog. Eric Griffin of Ault, Co., shot Richard Hammock to death on Nov. 2.
The Rocky Mountain News says that Hammock, went to confront Griffin, whom he suspected had shot his miniature pinscher, Mojo, with a pellet gun that day. Griffin was arrestedm but Weld County District Attorney Al Dominguez said this week that he will not be prosecuted because it was a “make my day” case. Under Colorado law, homeowners can use deadly force against intruders they think could use force against them.
Veterinarians discovered three pellets in Mojo, two old and one new, on Nov. 2. Police found a pellet gun in Griffin’s home. Through his attorney, Griffin denies having anything to do with the shooting of Mojo.
In the incident, Griffin’s attorney said, Hammock was threatening Griffin “with a stick, was brandishing it, yelling and screaming at him…Eric sees Mr. Hammock beating against the door with his club and Eric comes to the door, cradling the shotgun and letting him know that he has called the police, that he needs to get off the property.”
Link: http://www.insidedenver.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_2421807,00.html