People seeking to purchase a new house spend hours with a realtor, going from home to home in order to find the perfect place to live. While house hunters can debate the merits of the kitchen, bathroom, basement, and location, the neighbors that come with the purchase of their new house are often wild cards that are difficult to determine prior to a purchase. One man in Illinois is likely wishing he had had different neighbors after an alleged altercation resulting in him being charged with murder.
The incident occurred at a neighborhood Father’s Day party. Witnesses indicate that one man became overly intoxicated, began using profanity and attempted to pick up small children in attendance. Police claim that a second man approached him and an altercation ensued. They claim that the second man punched the man who was described by some as obnoxious.
Unfortunately, in a totally unforeseen twist, the drunk man fell, becoming impaled on a fence post. He was transported to an area hospital. However, he died from his injuries. The man the police claim threw the punches has been arrested and charged with murder.
While it is tragic that the man was killed in a seemingly freak accident, it seems fairly clear that the accused man did not intend for the man to die, even if he did throw a punch. The drunken behavior of the Illinois man was reportedly perceived as a menace and terrifying to several women and children present at the party. Nothing has as yet been proven against the man charged with murder, and he has every right to defend himself and challenge the assertions of prosecutors. While it remains to be seen what that defense will be, any punch that was thrown could have been the result of attempting to protect innocent women and children in attendance.
Source:
Chicago Tribune, “Murder charges in death of man impaled on fence,” Steve Schmadeke, June 27, 2013