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Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:28:20 PM EST
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Family Court Reno, Nevada Judge Chuck Weller was shot four times in the chest at the Reno courthouse today by a sniper who may have fired from a nearby parking garage. He is believed to be alive.

The suspect is still on the loose. Photos of the shooting are here.

How Appealing is tracking the news stories.

TalkLeft sends its best wishes to Judge Weller for a complete recovery.

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    Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse | 10 comments (10 topical)
    Re: Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:54:05 PM EST
    A Google of the judge finds many disgruntled costumers and even a site or two dedicated to criticizing him. Family law might be more dangerous than criminal law since emotions would have to run higher. It's unfortunate that someone took to violence rather than acting through the appeal system.

    Re: Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 06:01:20 PM EST
    the shooter got off 4 shots that all hit the judge square in the chest through a window from a block away. what manner of professional hit are we dealing with here?

    Re: Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse (none / 0) (#4)
    by Richard Aubrey on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 06:33:43 AM EST
    Raoul. Anybody who's spent more than an hour on the range firing a rifle from a rest could do that, presuming the judge didn't start moving. You generally would presume that one shot is all you'd get, so I expect that this shooter was flabbergasted at his good luck and took advantage of it.

    Re: Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse (none / 0) (#5)
    by Patrick on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 08:51:15 AM EST
    Raoul. Anybody who's spent more than an hour on the range firing a rifle from a rest could do that, presuming the judge didn't start moving.
    RA, Bless your heart, but that has to be the dumbest thing I've heard here in a while. Well, today anyway. If the report is accurate (4 chest shots, block away) that is one helluva shooter. It's ain't easy to go from punching holes in paper to punching holes in a human being! Humans move, especially after being shot the first time. Also, it's psychologically different and shooting is in large part about mind set, ask a hunter with buck fever.

    Re: Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse (none / 0) (#6)
    by roger on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 09:18:20 AM EST
    This always seems to happen in family court.

    Re: Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse (none / 0) (#7)
    by Patrick on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 09:35:43 AM EST
    Roger, Yes it does.

    Re: Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse (none / 0) (#8)
    by Richard Aubrey on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 09:42:03 AM EST
    Patrick. Two points: One is that the shooter presumed--if he has a clue--that the impact of the first round would move the judge out of the picture. It's more than strange to picture not one, two, or three rounds moving the judge to the floor, behind a desk, right or left of the window frame. Given that he didn't move, the shooter took the opportunity to hit him again and again. It doesn't take a professional hit man to kill another human being, especially when you're mad as hell. See most murders. And thinking about it, mentally rehearsing it, for, probably, days, will reduce the chance of buck fever. And the latest report has it that the suspect is a pissed-off ex-customer of the judge.

    Re: Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse (none / 0) (#9)
    by Patrick on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 10:25:38 PM EST
    RA, To be clear, I've read nowhere that he was hit 4 times. That said, it's still a helluva shot, glass is a tricky obstacle to shoot through. Ask the cop who took the first shot at the Good Guys store in Sacramento. I'm not saying the guy is a professional. All I've heard is the guy they suspect owns a pawn shop and is driving a rented silver Frod Explorer with Cali plates. No mention of any weapons training. Just arguing for arguments sake. I hope they catch him before anyone else gets hurt.

    Re: Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse (none / 0) (#10)
    by Patrick on Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 07:17:59 PM EST
    BTW, This guy was caught in Mexico yesterday.

    Re: Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse (none / 0) (#11)
    by Edger on Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 07:51:17 PM EST
    Patrick - more good news from your link:
    Weller was shot in the chest from three football fields away. He was released from the hospital last week and is recovering at an undisclosed location under guard.
    Nevada Judge Shot at Courthouse | 10 comments (10 topical)