“I Feared For My Life” Defense Fails Again

By Bob Owens

A Turlock, (CA) man who claimed he was “in fear for his life” when he shot a thief trying to steal old car batteries was just sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter and assault with a firearm on a person.

What an utterly pointless killing.

Brandon Pacheco was described in court as a gentle man who gave the best hugs and would never intentionally harm anyone. His family and friends said Wednesday that the 25-year-old man knew how to build pools and fix cars; he always was willing to help those in need.

They said Pacheco was likely struggling with personal issues toward the end of his life, certainly having financial problems. But they also said he never carried a weapon and was not the drug-crazed person he was portrayed as by the man who shot him in the back.

On July 23, 2013, Robin Duane Boyer caught Pacheco stealing several old car batteries from Boyer’s rural Turlock home. The prosecution said Boyer fired a shotgun at Pacheco from 20 yards away as Pacheco was trying to leave. The defense said Boyer feared for his life after repeated brazen burglaries at the home and fired …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms