What an idiotic sequenceof events, Did it not occur to these rednecks to call the police BEFORE the shooting began? If you have time to ask them to leave, If you have time to tell your boyfriend to leave it alone you have time to call.

10 - 15 bullet holes in the truck?

That's not love, that's about rage and possession. I hope those two little girls find a way to grow up with better selfesteem so they don't pick such redneck losers for boyfriends!

Really, it's like a country song...

My woman left me for 'nother man,

Me and my buudy gone to get her back again.

Busted into the trailer and pulled a gun,

But that theivin *&^ refused to run.

The new man bowed up and his gun was bigger.

and by God he pulled the trigger...

Now one is dead and the other gone to jail.

The truck's shot up but the trailer came out well.

I agree with Lynne--I also live in the Five Points area, and it takes the deputies FOREVER to show up once they are called. There are only so many, and if they are all out on calls on the other side of the county, it can take a good 1-2 hours before they can wrap up what they're working on and head over our way. My cousin's house was broken into recently, and it took the deputies THREE HOURS to show up. So, calling before shooting may not have been feasible. So many other factors could have been involved, too--what if the men threatened to kill them if they picked up the phone? What if they couldn't get to the phone or find it in time? Adrenaline is pumping and people are scared and they react. I'm not saying it's the right reaction, just a reaction. Blaming it on being "redneck" is low. Domestic quarrels and violence are not relegated to one social class. That was a tactless jab for all parties involved, especially the children.

Exactly right Lawrence Co., there are only two deputies working during the day. This article doesn't say if they called 911 or not first. Not to mention you should never believe everything you read. Larry you've got it right Justsayin needs to just shut up. That is so disrespectful, we weren't there and we shouldn't judge. Both families need prayer and even the people in that community need prayer, a very frightening event that happened in their backyard, this could happen to anyone.

Everyone but "Justsaying" has brought up really good points. I know these people, and I know David. Let's begin by looking at the way the investigator is processing the crime scene;

The shotgun, "evidence" should be handled as such. Put in a brown paper bag, sealed, and marked as such. The evidence should NOT be put into the back of his patrol car. Way to go Gene Mitchell!

It took less than 8 hours for the Sheriffs Department to charge him with murder, but "Sheriff Gene Mitchell said both men were armed at the time of the shooting, but evidence supports the murder charge." Sheriff Mitchell and his investigative team, God Bless them, must have forgotten about the new law that was passed in 2006. If this goes to trial, the prosecutors are not going to have fun trying this case. I believe the law is about as simple as it gets. Here is the link provided for everyone to read, and just in case you can't access the link, here is the synopsis of the law. This is going to be an interesting case.

http://www.governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2006-05-31-01-self-defense.asp

State’s New Self-Defense Law Goes Into Effect Thursday

MONTGOMERY – A new state law giving citizens greater legal safeguards if they choose to protect themselves rather than flee an intruder goes into effect on Thursday.

Governor Bob Riley signed the law in April, saying the measure will enhance citizens’ right to self-defense.

“Law-abiding citizens shouldn’t be forced to retreat when they are under attack from a criminal. They have the right to protect themselves and their families, and this new law makes that clear,” Governor Riley said.

The new law allows homeowners and vehicle occupants who believe their lives are threatened to use deadly force against intruders. It removes a legal requirement that forced crime victims to retreat when faced with an intruder. The new law also shields those who use deadly force in self-defense from criminal prosecution or civil action. The law does not permit the use of deadly force against those who have a right to be in a house or against law enforcement officers carrying out their duties.

Justsayin speaking of idiotic you should look in the mirror at yourself, how can you make fun at someone being killed and families in pain ? I can not say that being in that situation I would not have done the same thing, unless we are there we do not know what we would have done, someone comes to your door with guns are you just going to stand there and let them shoot you and your family or are you going to protect yourself and love ones, instead of making fun and calling names justsayin maybe you should think about praying for everyone that was involved !!!!!!!!!

let's really go back to the beginning. If they had gotten married, like it's supposed to be done, instead of "shacking up" for 4 to 5 years, and pretending to be married...maybe all of this could have been avoided. When you go outside God's laws on sex, what do you expect? Chaos! We reap what we sow.

Thank you unpop, people act like this just happened - no prelude. While tragic for both families - why was one man chasing a woman after 5 years, why did he think he had a chace? She was in the house with deadbolts locked. the other men were outside. Was this a huge threat or a tissing contest between the men.

You bet I'd shoot to kill if they were IN my house. The man was shot outside.

As for the children, what kind of environment is this for children to be raised in? With this one, that one. Men calling and showing up with guns. Will these young ladies grow up thinking this is "love".

Perhaps if we teach our daughters that the quality of men you date is more important than having a man, to educate themselces and provide for themselves these kinds of violent relationships can be avioded. That's the point - this is NOT ok, this is NOT love, this is not a healty family life or an acceptable way to live. Let's stop this nonsensical waste of life and families.

Right on Katielynn .I would bet this was a on going thing

All of the comments posted by the jerry springer gallery, " yeah I said it ! " are far more entertaining and interesting than anything the daily writers can spew.

Do you people not have anything better to do than to read the Decatur Daily ONLINE and comment on people's lives that you have no clue about????? I mean really?!