Two more innocent victims who couldn't just ''drive off''

11:21am Saturday, August 09, 2003

CLEVELAND---Earlier yesterday, a jury deliberated for less than three hours before finding William Scott, 20, guilty of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and the attempted murder of Nikon Bell, in a street shooting in Cleveland during the predawn hours of Dec. 26.

On Christmas night 2002, former Bedford High School basketball star Doug Rias, 20, a Youngstown State University student, was nightclub-hopping with friends from high school, a group called the "Bedford Boys." At Peabody's, a couple of Scott's friends thought they spotted his stolen leather coat on one of the Bedford Boys and called Scott on his cell phone.

After Rias and his friends left in three cars, Scott and his friends followed them at a distance. When Rias' car became separated from the other two cars at a traffic light, Scott got out of his car and walked up to Rias's Camry, both of Scott's friends testified during the nine- day trial.

Scott said, "If I can't get my coat, I'll get Doug's coat," according to co- defendants Ryan Hood, 21, the driver, and Philip Carter, 17. Rias was wearing a $300 Rocawear-brand leather jacket.

Hood and Carter testified that Scott sprayed the Camry with six shots, but failed to get his hands on Rias' jacket.

Click on the "Read More..." link below.

Scott didn't testify during the trial. His lawyer, Gill, told the jury that Scott was home that night, and that Hood and Carter had conspired to frame Scott for the crime.

Police found the murder weapon hidden in a toilet in Scott's house.

Hood is scheduled to stand trial for Rias's murder in September. Carter, now 18, previously pleaded delinquent by reason of complicity to commit robbery in Juvenile Court, and is awaiting sentencing.

Rias's mother, Carol, and his two sisters recalled for the judge how they had raised the victim, taken pride in his athletic achievements and mourned his death.

"Doug was my only son, my baby and my rock," his mother said. "He was honest and fun-loving and would do anything for people, including give up his jacket."

OFCC PAC Commentary:
Last week, Tony Gordon died doing exactly what the Ohio State Highway Patrol said he should have done when confronted by danger - he tried to "drive off." According to Dayton P.D.'s Lt. John Huber, "Mr. Gordon tried to drive away and was shot for it."

Nikon Bell and Doug Rias faired no better when attacked while in their vehicle.

Every such tragic victimization reveals the fallacy in the "just drive away when attacked" theory, which is offered by the Ohio State Highway Patrol as a substitute for legalized self-defense with a firearm.

It is high-time for the Ohio Senate's leaders to act to make self-defense a legal option for Ohioans.

Click here to read the entire story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Letter to the Editor: Patrol's fears not based on facts

These Akron victims couldn't ''just drive away'' when attacked

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=298

''Don't Get Borned'' Pt. 2: Many more citizens who couldn't 'just drive away'