Ayoob's "In the Gravest Extreme" has a lot of good material on what to do post-shoot. When calling 911, make sure you don't start off with "I just shot someone" as that sets you up as the bad guy. Instead, say something like, "I need an ambulance at [address]. Someone broke into my house. He attacked me with [describe any weapon the goblin had] and I was scared for my life and my family's lives. I had to use a weapon to protect us. He didn't stop when he saw the weapon and I was forced to use it."
In the first sentence, you are showing that you are concerned for the goblin's survival, which could be a point in your favor in front of the grand jury. The second establishes you as the victim and that he had the opportunity to cause serious bodily injury or death and that you perceived a threat to your life or the lives of your family or other building occupants. The third sets up the self-defense claim. The fourth shows that the goblin refused to disengage when you presented the weapon and continued the attack. The ending "forced to use it" shows that it was the goblin's actions that led to his assuming room temperature and not a desire to kill on your part.
Having legal help on retainer is essential. 1st call to 911, second call to your lawyer. There is a law firm in Houston called Texas Gun Shield that offers shooter insurance; if you have to pull the trigger, they represent you from the time the police arrive on the scene until the trial is over. Dunno how good the offer is as I just learned about them at a gun show a couple of weeks ago and haven't dug in to see how many cases they have tried.
Rumpshot wrote:Speaking of which, I just read Alan Korwin's new book, "After you Shoot, Your gun's hot. The perp's not. Now what?"
Very interesting reading based around the fact that you have rights that are nominally given up when you call 911 and talk to a recorder. Lots of discussion with various lawyers that cannot agree amongst themselves the best steps to take in a "good" shoot.
I recommend the book and suggest a continuing discussion of the contents thereof.
