Missouri’s new self-defense law, the castle doctrine, was supposed to help people protect their homes and loved ones from evil-doers. It wasn’t supposed to become another legal loophole.
In 2007, Missouri passed a castle-doctrine bill, which guarantees Missourians the right to use lethal force in defense of their homes. Missouri law, before the bill’s signing by Gov. Blunt, already allowed for that, however.
The major thing the bill did was remove the “duty of retreat” from law. In other words: A person doesn’t have to attempt escape before responding with lethal force, and simply entering another’s property is grounds for killing in self-defense.
However, that change may have opened up Missouri’s law for abuse.
Adair County Prosecutor Mark Williams is saying the castle doctrine should apply in the case of Jackie Gleason, who fatally shot former boyfriend Rogelio Johnson in May.
Johnson, who was court-ordered to stay away from Gleason, allegedly climbed through a window of her Kirksville home. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol investigation, Gleason said Johnson’s hands were clasped as if he was in a firing position, but no weapon was ever found.
A coroner’s jury in Adair County ruled that Gleason committed the crime of “death by felony.” Williams has asked the attorney general’s office to determine if charges are warranted.
Missouri’s version of the castle doctrine, which was basically written by the National Rifle Association, was intended for self-defense against burglars and hardened criminals — according to the language used by legislators to justify it.
Now, as it nears its first legal test, it appears it can be twisted to justify other excuses of lethal shooting, or used as a loophole in the law.
When the General Assembly meets in January, a look at the castle doctrine is in order. The law should be used strictly as intended.
Opinion
In Our View: Castle doctrine is no loophole
- Opinion
-
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Millions of dollars in donations have poured in from around the world since the May 22, 2011, tornado. Those donations represent money from lemonade stands, charity auctions, corporate gifts and celebrity checks, just to name a few. In fact, one year later donations continue to come to Joplin.
-
Beth Meeker, guest columnist: Same-sex marriage battle a quest for equal rights
I would like to take a moment to reply to guest columnist Anson Burlingame’s, “The Marriage Debate” (Globe, May 13).
-
Sunday Forum: 2012 graduation speakers key on tornado, mall school and president’s visit
Editor’s note: In addition to speeches by President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon, Joplin High School’s top students addressed graduates, faculty, parents and other guests packed into the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. Following are the text of those speeches.
-
Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Pack mentality takes truth as a casualty
President Obama’s Joplin graduation speech Monday showed that while there’s the political “right,” there’s also a very active “rabid” political right.
-
Your View: ‘Study’ can mean anything
A few evenings ago, I watched a television program on the science of marriage.
-
Our View: Support for museum
How can you tell the story of Joplin without the accounts of its mining history?
-
Our View: Finding middle ground
The G-8 summit held last week in Camp David ended as expected.
-
Anson Burlingame, guest columnist: Class of 2012 upholds character, hope
My oldest granddaughter was part of the class of 2012 from Joplin High School, and I attended the ceremony on Monday night.
-
Scott Charton, guest columnist: 'Deadline in Disaster' film a story about storytellers
Local newspapers are at their best when they help their communities confront, understand, endure and overcome shared challenges.
-
Our View: Make voting easiser
This year’s ballot will not include a proposed constitutional amendment that photo identification be required at the polls in Missouri. Good.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Our View: Victims should come first


