The Case of the Deadly Homeowner

Attorney Robert Fickman represented a home owner who had been awakened at 3:00 AM in the morning to find a car burglar rummaging through his car, parked in the driveway of his residence. The homeowner became concerned because he knew that a handgun was inside the vehicle. The homeowner retrieved a rifle and returned
to the front door of his residence. When the thief heard the homeowner exit the front door of the residence he jumped back and appeared to have something in his hand.

The homeowner fired one round as the thief ran from the driver’s side of the vehicle.

The shot was fatal.

Gradoni & Associates Investigate The Scene

Investigators visited the scene, took photographs and identified the lighting conditions that evening at the residence, along with taking exact measurements of the area.

A background investigation of the thief indicated that he had been arrested before for burglarizing vehicles, proving that this was not his first attempt stealing from vehicles in the middle of the night.

Attorney Fickman put together a package, including a number of character references for his client, which was presented to the Grand Jury at the time the case was reviewed. The Grand Jury subsequently no-billed Fickman’s client, ending a period of stress over the incident for the homeowner, who acted within his rights protecting his property.

Result of Investigation: Client not charged in homicide investigation.

Return to the March 2017 Investigator’s Newsletter

The Case of the Deadly Homeowner