An Indiana man is facing a lengthy prison sentence after just having gone through possibly the most heart wrenching year of his life. James Michael Booher was recently sentenced to 8 years in prison following charges of neglect in relation to his daughter’s death.
Last May Booher’s 5 year old son shot his younger sister in gun play gone wrong. The young boy retrieved the semi-automatic off of a bookshelf before doing the unthinkable.
Interestingly, this report from Indiana’s News Center claims the boy had previously retrieved the same handgun from on top of the refrigerator only 8 months earlier. On that occasion he shot a hole through the kitchen cabinets. This, says the court, is part of the reason for the father’s charges. They explain he should have known to move the gun to a safer area after this initial accident.
Cases like this around the country spark debate among people because they require us to question how much of the responsibility of this crime rests with the parent. Of course Booher could have taken extra measures to ensure something like this didn’t happen. It is certainly arguable whether justice is truly being served after such a tragedy, but that was a sentence the judge thought to be appropriate.
Laws regarding firearms in the state of Indiana are complex and rightfully so. Although we are guaranteed the right to bear arms by the 2nd Amendment, there are restrictions and limitations on this right. Facing criminal charges for a weapons violation can land you a lengthy prison term and a criminal record.
If you are looking at criminal charges for any weapons offense, we can help. Call today to discuss the details of your case and what we can do as your defense attorneys to help ensure you get the best possible results and fair treatment in court.