Castle Doctrine

SOMERSET, Pa. - A man who fatally shot his wife's lover with a bow and arrow will not face criminal charges, in part, because the state's expanded "castle doctrine" makes it legal to use deadly force on one's porch or deck, a prosecutor said Tuesday. State police have repeatedly said they believed the 38-year-old Central City man acted in self-defense when he killed Tony Bittinger, 43, of Salisbury, on Oct. 9. Somerset County District Attorney Jerry Spangler formally announced Tuesday that he agreed with police and that no criminal charges should be filed against the shooter, who has not been named by authorities.

When Gov. Corbett signed a law June 28 expanding the right to use deadly force outside the home, gun-control proponents predicted every thug would have a new defense to pulling the trigger. It didn't take long. Just eight days after the new "castle doctrine" law took effect, it has been raised in the defense of a North Philadelphia man charged with killing a neighbor over $100 owed in the purchase of a pit bull puppy. To be sure, there are questions about whether Lydell Johnson, 23, would qualify to use the defense in the shooting of Shane McCreery Jr., 32. First, there is the Aug. 3 date - after Corbett signed the law but before it took effect at the end of August.

Summer meals starting With today being the last day of the year for public-school students, Mayor Nutter yesterday announced the start of the city's summer-meals program. Call 3-1-1 for the nearest summer-meals site. Children eat free at more than 1,000 sites, thanks to the USDA's Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option, administered by the state Department of Education. Last year, more than 91,000 children ate summer meals. But that was still 47,000 fewer than the number of students who received school meals during the school year.

HARRISBURG - In Pennsylvania, as in most states, your home is your castle and you have a right to defend it. Soon, you will be able to add your car. Or the sidewalk. Or anywhere you "have the legal right to be. " The state Senate, in a 45-5 vote, gave final approval Monday to the so-called castle doctrine bill to expand the right of people to use deadly force against attackers in places outside their homes. A spokesman for Gov. Corbett said the governor would sign the bill but was not sure when.

HARRISBURG - In Pennsylvania, as in most states, your home is your castle and you have a right to defend it. Soon, you will be able to add your car. Or the sidewalk. Or anywhere you "have the legal right to be. " The state Senate, in a 45-5 vote, gave final approval Monday to the so-called castle doctrine bill to expand the right of people to use deadly force against attackers in places outside their homes. A spokesman for Gov. Corbett said the governor would sign the bill but was not sure when.

Once more, the allure of the Wild West is exerting an irresistible pull on Harrisburg. In a dangerous policy decision, the state Senate and House have revived legislation wisely vetoed by former Gov. Edward G. Rendell that would expand gun owners' rights to blast away any time they feel threatened. By extending the "castle doctrine," which gives armed homeowners the right to shoot an intruder, lawmakers are risking deadly confrontations in any public setting. More road-rage incidents could prove lethal, with armed motorists claiming they were legally defending themselves against a perceived threat.

Gov. Rendell on Saturday vetoed three bills, including a measure that would have expanded a person's right to use lethal force against a perceived threat. The so-called castle doctrine already protects residents' right to defend themselves inside their homes, or "castles. " The bill would have extended that right beyond the home and removed a person's "duty to retreat" to avoid a potentially violent confrontation. "The bill as passed encourages the use of deadly force, even when safe retreat is available, and advances a 'shoot first, ask questions later' mentality," Rendell said in a statement issued Saturday afternoon.

GOV. RENDELL COULD soon have the legal right to arm himself, stand outside the Capitol building, and start shooting approaching lawmakers. Of course he shouldn't . . . but he could, if he signed a ridiculous gun bill that landed on his desk last week. The bill would broaden the "castle doctrine," which empowers people to defend their homes with deadly force. Now, people who feel threatened in their offices or even their cars can shoot first, and ask questions later. (And yes, Rendell would have to feel threatened in order to shoot, but we think that wouldn't be difficult.

HARRISBURG - Should Pennsylvanians have the right to use deadly force in virtually any place they feel threatened? Does your "castle" extend past the walls of your home? Now those questions are on Gov. Rendell's desk. In the next seven days he must decide whether to sign into law a controversial measure expanding people's rights to defend themselves with deadly force - also known as the castle doctrine. In essence, the governor must wade into a debate between supporters who call it a "stand your ground" bill and opponents who label it a "shoot first" measure.