Homeowner who stabbed intruder to death is cleared of murder

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More good news!

A homeowner who killed an armed intruder and seriously injured another man after they broke into his flat has been cleared of murder today.

Samuel Quamina, 49, was confronted by three men brandishing a pistol and a metal steering lock as he read the Bible in his home.

He armed himself with two kitchen knives and slashed at the burglars as they attempted to grab his gold necklace and rings.

Perry Nelson Jr, 24, of Norbury, south London, suffered a fatal stab wound and died at King's College Hospital after running from the bungled raid.

His 41-year-old alleged accomplice was also injured and a third man, aged 38, escaped unharmed.

Mr Quamina was today cleared at Croydon Crown Court of three charges including murder, manslaughter and actual bodily harm.

His police statement told how the 30-second violent ordeal took place in his flat in Peckham, south-east London, at about 8pm on September 10, last year.

During the trial, Mr Quamina had contended he was a religious man who had acted in self-defence.

He said on the day of the attack he had been reading the bible while smoking a ‘spliff’ when a friend came around to borrow a CD.

The three men burst into the second-storey flat as the friend left.

He told investigators two music speakers fell from a wall in the brawl, smashing down on his attackers and disarming them.

Mr Quamina said he was ‘terrified’ and thought the three men wanted to rob and kill him, so he took two knives from the kitchen and slashed the attackers as they attempted to steal the jewellery he was wearing.

The case is the latest to highlight to what extent self defence can legally be used when protecting against burglars.

Last month Tory leader David Cameron fuelled the debate by saying intruders leave their human rights at the door when they break in to a property.

He said only those who use ‘grossly disproportionate force’ should be put in the dock and that his party will review the law.

Prosecutors have insisted that householders are able to use ‘reasonable force’ to defend themselves and protect their property.

Businessman Munir Hussain was freed from prison on appeal in January after being jailed for using a cricket bat to batter an intruder.
 
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During the trial, Mr Quamina had contended he was a religious man who had acted in self-defence.

He said on the day of the attack he had been reading the bible while smoking a ‘spliff’ when a friend came around to borrow a CD.

:rolleyes:
 
Last month Tory leader David Cameron fuelled the debate by saying intruders leave their human rights at the door when they break in to a property.
A vote winner
He said only those who use ‘grossly disproportionate force’ should be put in the dock and that his party will review the law.
Er, so no change to the law then?
Prosecutors have insisted that householders are able to use ‘reasonable force’ to defend themselves and protect their property.
Where is the line that delineates specifically the difference between "disproportionate force" and "reasonable force".

Even the tiniest bit of analysis of this "policy" indicates that it is meaningless and ill defined. And this bloke wants to lead the country :confused:
 
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I think you need to be in cloud cuckoo land, to give that publication any credence. :p :p

Wotan
 
I think you need to be in cloud cuckoo land, to give that publication any credence. :p :p

Wotan

Errrmmm, how do you know which publication it is............... :LOL:
He said on the day of the attack he had been reading the bible while smoking a ‘spliff’ when a friend came around to borrow a CD.

This one
 
The verdict was correct.
They had a gun and a steering lock.
He had 2 knives against 3 intruders.
No case to answer.
 
I'm a huge supporter of defending your home and family......

BUT.....couldn't he come up with a better story than THAT......
Thats the oldest one in the book.....(so i'm told)

"Well your honour.........I was sitting there reading my bible when"........... :rolleyes:
 
Heavens forgive me for thinking this, but had this guy, had a good english name, would the verdict have been the same :!:

Wotan
 
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