Frontier Justice Alive And Well..And Legal!

This story in the Houston Chronicle made me realize that the old fashioned brand of frontier justice may be the way to go!

It's sad when someone gets killed, but that's the chance you get when you attempt something like this...I say that the saying of "forewarned is forearmed" should have been enough to keep the criminal types from even considering this action!

By DALE LEZON Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Sept. 3, 2009, 12:31PM

A suspected robber was killed and another man was injured in a gun battle after three masked gunmen ambushed a card game in southwest Houston this morning, police said.

Around 2 a.m., witnesses said the masked men waited for someone to leave the game, which was held inside an unmarked office park unit behind a shopping center in the 5600 block of Hillcroft just south of Westpark.

The gunmen burst in through the open door and began robbing patrons, one of whom pulled his own pistol, said Sgt. Juan M. De La Cruz, a Houston homicide detective. A gunfight ensued.

One suspect was killed and one of the patrons suffered a non-life threatening wound and was taken to a nearby hospital. Police, who found multiple 9-millimeter shell casings at the scene, say the other two suspects fled.

Police recovered card tables, cards and cash, and one of the patrons said everyone at the game knew each other. Police said they didn't immediately know who rents the space, which like many in the complex has no signage.

De La Cruz said the gambling matter would be turned over to the vice squad, but it wasn't clear whether the game was illegal. In Texas, there's nothing wrong with money changing hands in poker and other games as long as someone isn't taking a cut.

Identities of those involved were not immediately released, and no arrests were made.

Now, I have to ask myself if the bandits really believe that no one would be carrying a firearm? If so, I wonder just where they have been living for the last few years!

In a city where folks get shot on the street corner, in their front yard, and at the grocery store...often for no apparent reason, how can someone not have a clue that when you bust into a private card game at 2:00 a.m. with the intent of robbing the patrons...someone is going to be armed.

I personally think that the so-called bandits should take up another line of work! I don't believe that they are smart enough to be successful crooks...but that's just me!

Bad decisions more often than not lead to bad results. Evidently, the old frontier justice is alive and well in parts of Texas. That should give the bad guys reason to stop and think the next time...and we all have no doubt there will be a next time!

Some folks are very slow to learn, ya know?

Now, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee and sit outside for a bit...don't worry, no bad guys here!