Lets talk about law and investigation.
The opposing argument is that, in a nut shell.
Common Side of the story -
Vang was hunting with his 2 friends and his 2 sons in northern Wisconsin, they stumble on a private property and were asked to leave by the property owner when he was challenged. He starting to leave the properties, and the owner and his party chase him to try and get Vang hunting license to report to DNR
Vang Perspective -
One of the hunter start firing at him for reason or reason(s) unknown. Vang fire back, hitting one of the hunter. Then 5 other descents on the scenes, firing was exchanged, and Vang was hit once, while 6 out of 8 hunting party with the owner was shot by 20 rounds, fired by Vang for self-defence
Owner Party Perspective
During the incident, Vang shot at Willer first after challenge, walked about 40 yards, Vang take off the scope of his rifle, then turn around and shoot at the party as the party was leaving, a gun fight ensue with at least 1 shot fired by Lauren Hesebeck, none of the shell casing Vang alleged the party fired was recovered. 6 more hunter (Lauren Hesebeck claim was unarmed) arrive to the gunfight trying to rescue Willer and was shot at. The gun fight ends with Vang shot and killed 4 hunter in the back, with 2 more died with multiple GSW.
Factual Evidence
4 out of 8 victim was killed by a single bullet (7.62x39mm) from behind
2 Victim was killed by multiple gun shot wound to the front of the victim.
20 casing was recovered by Law Enforcement agent from Vang Saiga rifle
Vang admitted in court to have shot at least 1 hunter in the back.
No shell casing was found by the hunting party.
Lauren (One of the survivor) admitted in court at least 1 round was fired by the party
Vang was in private property when the shooting incident happens.
On the trial -
Vang pleaded not guilt by reason of "Self-Defence"
Vang was asked by prosecutor "Did Mr Crotteau deserve to die?" Vang replies. Yes
Vang was asked why he shot 2 hunter from behind, vang replies, they deserved to die because they are disrespectful him
Vang was ask why he continue shooting at the hunter, Vang replies, he was fear for his life, so he shot the hunter in the back, sometime multiple time.
Lawyer opinion.
Asked my wife about this case, giving the circumstance on the case released to public, the conviction of Vang for premeditated murder is the right judgement.
Reason 1. Disproportional use of Force
My wife pointed out, if you are scare of someone, when they turn their back on you, you run away, shooting a person or person(s) when their back is against goes against the principle of "Self-Defence" and since this is collaborated by evidence (4 of the 8 hunters was shot in the back) as well as Vang himself admitted he shot 2 hunter in the back, also several of the victim was shot multiple time, this is evidence that this is not a self defence shooting.
Reason 2. This incident happened on private properties, and Vang was noted as such.
The incident happened on a private property, which one of the owner Vang had killed. Would suggest a motivated attack by either Vang or the Owner Party. However, judging from the fact 9 people were shot (including Vang) and 8 with multiple gunshot wound, unlikely is that the owner party started the physical altercation, because Vang would most likely be dead.
Reason 3. Physical evidence did not match up with Vang testimony.
Vang testified that he scare of the owner party, but he also testified that he believe the first challenger (Terry Willer) was the ONLY person that have a weapon with the group, which he gunned down at 0 second. Afterward Vang testified that he was under direct threat and was forced to killed those people. Physical evidence however, suggested that 2 of the hunter was running away and shot from behind. Lauren was shot in the shoulder. Joey Crotteau was shot first in the leg, and was found lying face down with a bullet to the back that killed him.
What might happened?
Vang may have been lost during his hunting course with his friend and drifted into a private property, the owner of the property challenge him, and ask for his hunting license, prior knowledge suggest that the owner have problem with Hmong Hunter before, and may resort to racist comment.
Vang at this point shot the hunter that challenge him, When the rest of the group arrive to render help unarmed, Vang shot each of the member in cold blood. After armed hunter hear the call and go into the scene to investigate. Vang decided to leave the scene quote in court "He don't want to challenge the second batch of hunter because they were armed)
@Hamartia Antidote @Gomig-21
So, you called shooting unarmed people in the back and charge for murder is a set up?