Liberty Minute February 11 2014

Henry Magee was sleeping when armed intruders burst into his home last December 19. Knowing only that he and his family were at mortal risk, Magee grabbed a gun and opened fire, fatally wounding Sgt. Adam Sowers, who was part of a police task force carrying out a ?no-knock warrant? in search of drugs.

Magee was arrested and charged with murder. On February 6, a grand jury in Burleson County, Texas declined to indict Magee, accepting his claim that he acted in self-defense because he believed his home was being burglarized. Magee still faces charges related to marijuana possession.

No-knock raids for non-violent offenses are commonplace in our country, and in many of those operations innocent people are hurt or killed. In such circumstances, the police demand the benefit of the doubt, emphasizing that officers must make split-second decisions.

The same is true of Magee?s actions ? but as a man who was defending his home, he had a far stronger moral and legal claim than any police officer who is not actively defending an innocent life.

The needless death of Adam Sowers was not the result of a crime committed by the man who shot him, but rather of the criminal policy he was called upon to enforce.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.