[From the class of 09]

A jury in Bexar County, Texas just acquitted Ezekiel Gilbert of charges that he murdered a 23-year-old Craigslist escort—agreeing that because he was attempting to retrieve the $150 he'd paid to Lenora Ivie Frago, who wouldn't have sex with him, his actions were justified.

Gilbert had admitted to shooting Frago in the neck on Christmas Eve 2009, when she accepted $150 from Gilbert and left his home without having sex with him. Frago, who was paralyzed by the shooting, died several months later.

Gilbert's defense argued that the shooting wasn't meant to kill, and that Gilbert's actions were justified, because he believed that sex was included as part of the fee. Texas law allows people "to use deadly force to recover property during a nighttime theft."

The 30-year-old hugged his defense attorneys after the "not guilty" verdict was read by the judge. If convicted, he could have faced life in prison. He thanked God, his lawyers, and the jury for being able to "see what wasn't the truth."

http://gawker.com/texas-says-its-ok-to- ... -511636423

[Sly Fox]

Most of our laws were written in the Wild West days.

[jbock13]

You see there's Texas... and then there's the city limits of El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and especially Austin, which is pretty much an entirely different country.

In all seriousness... I wouldn't compare Bexar County with the rest of the state of Texas. It's not the same people.

[Sly Fox]

That's a little harsh. The folks in San Antonio are generally good people.

And for the record, the county is pronounced Bear.

[From the class of 09]

I don't care when the laws were written you can't go around shooting call girls, this is still America right!?! Unreal...this has to be one of those stories where more info comes out.

[Sly Fox]

In Texas the laws are set up for people to use deadly force to defend their property in their homes. If that is how the judge viewed this case then he will walk.

[adam42381]

I blame video games.

[NotAJerry]

The ruling here was that she took the $150 without rendering the services required, thus she was considered to have stolen property. Since it was after dark, seriously that's the wording, it was legal to use deadly force to stop her from getting away with the theft. I do wonder how many on the jury wanted to vote guilty due to common sense but voted to acquit due to the law.

[Purple Haize]

The ruling here was that she took the $150 without rendering the services required, thus she was considered to have stolen property. Since it was after dark, seriously that's the wording, it was legal to use deadly force to stop her from getting away with the theft. I do wonder how many on the jury wanted to vote guilty due to common sense but voted to acquit due to the law.

I talked to SMOOTH and he said those types of advertisements have the disclaimer that any money exchanged is for companionship and time, and not a contract for any other activity. And he would know

[lynchburgwildcats]

Good to know Texas operates in the world of Grand Theft Auto.

If this episode had happened during the day, would that mean he would have been guilty?!

[bigsmooth]

The ruling here was that she took the $150 without rendering the services required, thus she was considered to have stolen property. Since it was after dark, seriously that's the wording, it was legal to use deadly force to stop her from getting away with the theft. I do wonder how many on the jury wanted to vote guilty due to common sense but voted to acquit due to the law.

I talked to SMOOTH and he said those types of advertisements have the disclaimer that any money exchanged is for companionship and time, and not a contract for any other activity. And he would know

seriously haize??? the man who knows all about "massages"???!!! bamy lee said so!

[Purple Haize]

I used you as a referral to get in the door and asked for The BigSmooth Special!