Cook County Prosecutor Drops Gun Charges Against Englewood Illinois Resident

 Posted on April 05, 2012 in Weapons

Law enforcement officials recently arrested 80-year-old Homer Wright for unlawful possession of a handgun after he shot and wounded an intruder who had broken into his Englewood home and tavern, which he has operated for over 40 years. The Chicago Tribune reported that Wright kept a gun to protect himself and his wife after experiencing multiple break-ins at his tavern, and having also been robbed at gunpoint. Unfortunately, Wright is a convicted felon due to two decades-old weapons convictions, one in 1994, and the other in the 1960s.

Amid uproar by community leaders and activists, Cook County prosecutors dropped the charges against Wright, “in the best interests of justice,” according to a spokeswoman for the state’s attorney’s office. In a community that has grown increasingly dangerous and violent over the years, the public overwhelmingly came out in favor of Wright, believing that Wright acted solely in self-defense in a dangerous situation.

This case renews the gun law debate in Illinois, especially in light of the recent shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida by a neighborhood watchman. Illinois has arguably the most restrictive law in the nation when it comes to citizens and their guns, as Illinois is the only state in the nation in which it is illegal to carry handguns in public. However, Illinois does have a so-called “castle law”, which allowed Wright to defend his home with potentially deadly force if a burglar enters his home through violence or force. It seems that prosecutors concluded that Wright’s only crime was illegally possessing the handgun – not using it to defend himself.

As you can see from Wright’s case, restrictive gun laws in the state of Illinois often result in criminal charges for otherwise law-abiding citizens. If you find yourself in such a situation, you will need the assistance of a Cook county criminal lawyer in order to defend against these charges. It’s critical that you retain the services of a skilled Chicago criminal defense attorney who can provide the legal assistance that you need and deserve.