by
The Wayne County prosecutor’s announcement Friday morning that Theodore Wafer faces three felonies in Renisha McBride’s shotgun death on his Dearborn Heights porch is the focus of impassioned tweets, Facebook posts, a Reddit thread and reader comments on media sites.
These are among posts:
Racial lines: "Here we go again. A tragedy that will be a white vs. black battle in public opinion well before the facts come out. . . . I hope we find the truth to what happened soon so that healing can begin." -- Jay Jeffrey, St. Clair Shores
Brace ourselves: “Hope this trial doesn't turn into a circus like the Zimmerman ordeal." -- Dan Austin, Detroit,
Unsurprised: “Not surprising. Shotguns don't point themselves at people's faces and go off by themselves.” -- Dante Stella, Detroit
Other coverage: Homeowner Who Shot Renisha McBride Arraigned On Second-Degree Murder Charge
Renisha McBride montage was created for her Nov. 8 funeral program by Kenny Snodgrass.
Approval: "I'm glad this man is facing charges. Unless someone is breaking into your house and threatening bodily harm, you do not shoot someone in the face with a shotgun." -- SImone Cromer, Ann Arbor
'Political appeasement:' "Second degree murder? That's a political appeasement to the race-baiters and absolutely unjustified. This man was in his home, sleeping, in the middle of the night. We don't know how a drunk woman approached his door or how she behaved. Anyone in their right mind would be concerned for their safety." -- Lance Lamm, Sterling Heights
: "DeliBoy 3 points 1 hour ago*
'Take the basic safety measure':" I don't think the homeowner intended to fire. Her death can probably be attributed to a lack of lighting, gun safety and judgment. Her height, race, sobriety, the time of day or an car accident really have nothing to with the fact that you still need to take the basic safety measure of not pointing your shotgun in someone's face when initially answering your door. . . . The charges are appropriate unless we learn something new. I don't think we need Al Sharpton to tell us this." -- "DeliBoy" on Reddit
'Tragedy' deserves trial: "This death was a tragedy, plain and simple. But the man who pulled the trigger should be tried so that he and the victim's family, get their day in court." -- Paul Chapman, Troy
Locked door: "If the evidence shows that he shot through his locked screen door, this is an easy conviction. It's pretty difficult to claim your life is in immediate danger when you're inside your locked house and the person outside is unarmed." -- Jared Pomranky, Cleveland (native Detroiter)
Waiting to hear defense: "I'm interested to hear the shooter's side of this, and hopefully it's not obvious bullshit. I know we all like to jump to conclusions based off of one side of the story, but I'd like to hear the 911 calls and the shooter's justification (if he had any) as to why he felt the need to use deadly force." -- "Riverine17" on Reddit
Let system work: “I have a lot of respect for Kim Worthy as a competent and professional public servant. She has access to whatever evidence exists and we do not. . . . Let her do her job..” -- Tom Carroll, Whitmore Lake
National coverage: “Press conference was aired on MSNBC. It was a breaking news ticker on NYTimes.com. Get ready for some cramped courtrooms if Worthy allows the cameras in.” -- Aaron Foley, Detroit
Conviction not expected: "He is a white man who shot a unarmed black woman in the new Mississippi we call Michigan. Great he was charged, but he is going to get a hang jury or walk." -- Johnny Utah, Detroit
Site of predawn shooting Nov. 2 at 16812 W. Outer Dr. in Dearborn Heights.
Murder count unjustified: "Worthy is overcharging. This is NOT second degree." -- Jim Aaron
'Just like the Trayvon case:' "The only reason she is filing any charges at all is because of all of the attention this case is getting, just like the what happened in the Trayvon case. The media and family members put pressure on the prosecutor to file charges." -- Katherine Kat
Public pressure: "I honestly can't say I'm surprised. . . . However, I'll still never understand this 'charge him with something, anything' mentality that seems to pervade the protesters. I highly doubt they want a court system where the public gets to decide the charges pressed against someone based on what they've read in the paper. And contrary to what some people believe, Stand Your Ground and the Castle Doctrine don't give you carte blanche to kill anyone on your property. I thought that was just common sense, but apparently not." -- "Left Detroit," on Reddit
Ask first: "All this could have been avoided by the owner asking a few questions behind the safety of his door like most normal people do." -- "Spartacus800" on Huffington Post
Avoid premature judgment: "We all should hear all the evidence before we all pass judgment." -- Gregory Thomas
Beyond today's step: “Only a conviction will result in justice for Renisha McBride, not just charges.” -- Gerald Thurswell, Southfield attorney for McBride family, in statement earlier
He shot her through a closed and locked screen door? Wow. No words. #RenishaMcBride
— Jezebel ESC (@JezebelESC) November 15, 2013
Some are asking why do I care about #RenishaMcBride when she wasn't a Muslim. I care because I am a Muslim & she was a soul. Anything else?
— Dawud Walid (@DawudWalid) November 13, 2013
