Navigating the complex emotions of familial relationships can is often a very difficult task. This seems to be the case in a recent incident in Houston. After a 24-year-old man and his mother got into an argument, the situation escalated to the point where the man eventually used a fireman. Since the incident, the man has been dealt family violence charges.
According to reports from law enforcement officials, the argument between the man and his mother argument took a dramatic turn as the mother’s boyfriend tried to intervene. At that point, the 24-year-old man allegedly shot the boyfriend in the leg. After that occurred, the man tried to prevent emergency workers from taking his mother’s boyfriend to the hospital by blocking the road and discharging a firearm at least four times in the direction of the ambulance as it drove away.
The next day, the man was arrested after being spotted near the scene of the incident. He was then charged with committing acts of family violence and aggravated assault of a public servant. It’s clear that a conviction on one or both of the charges would lead to weighty legal consequences.
Although no one in the ambulance was struck with the bullets that were apparently fired in the direction of the vehicle, assault charges could still be filed. It is important to know that just the threat — or perceived threat — of a violent action can result in assault charges. No actual physical contact has to take place.
Furthermore, the complicated nature of most domestic violence incidents can lead to difficulty establishing the clear facts of the case. Intense emotions can cloud a person’s ability to remember exactly what occurred during the course of events. Because eyewitness testimony frequently plays a major role in a prosecutor’s case, it is important to make sure all the details are accurate. Erroneous testimony can make the difference between fair resolution to a trial and a wrongful conviction.
Like many other criminal charges, being charged with domestic violence can have implications beyond a criminal sentence. After someone serves their time, they can face tremendous difficulty finding a job and are likely to have a tarnished reputation. This is why it is vital to obtain a solid understanding of the relevant facts of a case when heading to trial.
Source: News Core, “Houston man arrested for firing shots at ambulance,” June 5, 2012
