Felony prevents man from self-defense

A few weeks ago, an inmate at the Clarinda Correctional Facility broke out of prison and went on a mini crime wave across Southern Iowa. Not only did he shoot a police officer but he also stole his car and took an old couple hostage. The end result was that the elderly man killed him (and rightfully so).

Last year, a Central City man by the name of Martin Wilkinson awoke to a deranged neighbor (Gregory O'Hare) in his bedroom, beating him. The neighbor's history was so violent. Wilkinson (64 years old) did what any man would do in his position - he defended himself.

As you can see both cases involve a home invasion of the elderly by a known criminal. As you can also see they both end with the death of said criminal. Yet one elderly man is free while the other one faces up to 30 years. Why? The answer is simple.

Mr. Wilkinson has been to prison for drunken driving. Therefore, he's not allowed to have a gun to protect himself. Society believes he should have let himself be beaten to death because he is a felon. What a world we live in.

Corey Collar

Cedar Rapids