Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Surprise Ending to Ersland Case

Most people in my sphere of influence were shocked to hear that the jury in the Ersland case found him guilty - not of manslaughter, but rather of 1st Degree Murder. Sentencing is forthcoming, but Jerome Ersland could spend the rest of his life in prison and that is what is so surprising.

On one hand, the state of Oklahoma has passed legislation supporting the right to keep and bear arms and Oklahoma even has a member of the Congressional Delegation who serves on the the Board of the National Rifle Association. But a jury of 8 women and 4 men found a man guilty of 1st Degree Murder for defending his business, his employees' lives and his own life from men trying to rob them at gunpoint.

Friends, this is alarming on many levels. We have had the case where Demetrius Johnson dies mysteriously while in police custody and it is largely overlooked by the media and now, we're seeing a man who should have been tried for manslaughter being convicted of 1st Degree Murder.

Ersland will, of course, appeal the verdict and it will cost him everything he owns. Appeals in these types of cases are very expensive and are often very difficult to win.

This case has many within the gun-rights community very anxious and those on the conservative side of things are reaching out to Governor Fallin to pardon Jerome Ersland. It's not likely that she will grant a pardon, but it will be very interesting to see what her response will be.

Now, more than ever, it is critical that we pay close attention to what is being reported and what is left under-reported. It is also important to pay very close attention to whom we elect. Platitudes are no longer acceptable when our freedoms are at stake.


Mickey