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Two Charged For Shooting At Newspaper Delivery Men
February 28, 2010
Two men have been charged for chasing down and shooting at three newspaper delivery men early Wednesday morning.
Jerry Joseph Stefani (pictured left), 49, and Douglas Mitchel Wienberg, 39, have been charged with three counts of aggravated assault each. Both were released from the Escambia County Jail on $15,000 bond.
The Turkey Road neighbors are accused of firing semi-automatic handguns at three Pensacola News Journal delivery men about 3:45 a.m. Wednesday. Weinberg told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators that he armed himself with a semi-automatic handgun after he was wife woke him and stated that she observed someone creeping along the family’s fence.
Wienberg exited his residence to see a white colored vehicle exit a side street one house from his. Weinberg stated his neighbors began exiting their residences due to the commotion, according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Wienberg and his neighbor Stefani, also armed, gave pursued the white car occupied by the three newspaper delivery men, Dylan Duffewn, 19, David Crittenden, 32, and Daniel Hayes, 22. The white car became stuck in the mud in a field, and the three newspaper deliver men ran.
“Weinberg and Stefani then fired several rounds at the three fleeing occupants and into the air in an attempt to stop them from running into the woods,” Roy said. Duffewn laid down in the field, while the other two ran into the woods.
The three PNJ delivery men said they ran because they thought they were about to become victims of a robbery.
Pictured above: Douglas Mitchel Wienberg (right) and Jerry Joseph Stefania (left), are charged with aggravated assault after they shot at three newspaper delivery men they said they thought were burglars.
Comments
7 Responses to “Two Charged For Shooting At Newspaper Delivery Men”
REGARDING:
“I ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY HAD TO BE IN THE HOUSE BEFORE YOU COULD SHOOT AT THEM,”
It used to be that way. I think that was where they come up with the term Castle Doctrine; a man’s home is his castle and if people breach his home, he has the right to defend himself. There were instances in which people were faulted for not turning tail and running when threatened.
Then there was recently legislation passed affectionately called “stand your ground” in which a person is not thought required to run until trapped before he can defend himself. I consider this reasonable legislation but the danger is that it is misapplied and some think they can shoot to kill for reasons not covered.
We’ve recently seen that even when people run and try to get away from people threatening them (sometimes they threaten because they themselves feel threatened), there are people who think the “stand your ground” law applies to the ones chasing and shooting and makes it right.
Interesting world in which we live, isn’t it?
David for staying out of trouble and legal expenses
Common sense goes a long way. It was already said that just because someone is on your land or by your home does not give you the right to use deadly force. If you do not want to confront them, call the police, that is their job. Protect yourself and be prepared if they try to enter your home, otherwise leave the confrontations and chasing to the pro’s, the police. This is just my opinion as I think it is the safest method for everyone.
We have had two vigilante style shooting incidents near North Escambia in the past few days (this one and the Jay homicide), and both situations have been ruled unjustified up front due to arrests. For these two, if they are found guilty of the charges with no plea down or withheld adjudication, they will become convicted felons. Thus they will no longer be able to possess firearms or ammunition, which will be a good thing for them and us. People need to stop and consider the consequences of their actions before they pull that trigger. And if they do, then step up and take responsibility for what they’ve done without blaming someone or something else.
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY HAD TO BE IN THE HOUSE BEFORE YOU COULD SHOT AT THEM, I WAS ALWAYS TOLD IF YOU SHOT SOMEONE IN YOUR DOORWAY AND THEY FALL OUTSIDE THE DOOR DRAG EM BACK IN OR YOU WOULD BE CHARGED, PEOPLE ARE IN SUCH A HURRY TO GET THERE GUN OFF, THAT THEY LOOK FOR ANY REASON TO DO SO LIKE THE MAN SAID USE A LITTLE COMMON SENSE NEXT TIME, AND DONT GO CHASING THEM DOWN THE STREET,WELL GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS
If found guilty, I hope their right to bear arms is removed, or at a bare minimum the judge should order numerous hours of MANDATORY firearms safety courses for these men.
Keep in mind also, that just because you think that someone may be attempting to break into your home doesn’t mean that you are confronted with deadly force.
The embarrassment and shame of chasing down the wrong people has to be pretty bad.
People next time someone is outside you home in the night or even daylight hours that aren’t supposed to be there. Call the police if you don’t want to confront them. Don’t start shooting, or chase them down and pistol whip them. If they try and break in that’s when you need to be armed . Just because a law has been created that is supposed to protect you in the event of deadly force. It don’t mean that you won’t be drug through court or charged. Judges don’t always interpret the law as it was written and jury’s don’t always see things the way you see them.
use some common sense