Homeowner pleads not guilty to murdering car prowler
VANCOUVER, Wash. -- A Vancouver homeowner pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning to murdering a car prowler last month.
Sean H. Doucette, 27, was arraigned in Clark County Superior Court on one count of second-degree murder, a charge that does not require evidence of premeditated intent.
Trial was set for May 13.
Doucette did not speak during his arraignment, except to say "not guilty." Family members of the 19-year-old victim, Iosif Dumitrash, were present, but did not wish to make a statement to the media.
Dumitrash was shot and killed the early morning of Jan. 29 outside Doucette’s home in the area of 150th Avenue and Northeast 33rd Street in Vancouver.
Doucette’s attorney has said the situation started after his client confronted the man about breaking into a car parked across the street from Doucette's house.
A fight ensued when Doucette, who works as a security guard, took out his gun and shot Dumitrash four times, the attorney said.
Doucette’s wife reportedly called 911 about the shooting, officials said.
According to court records, Doucette posted bond on Jan. 31 and was released from the Clark County Jail pending trial.
Wait, no flowery photos of the victim with an associated sob story about how Mr. Dumitrash was a kind and decent person like KOMO ran with the Oregon mall shooter? Wow.
After looking up more information on this... he went to confront him, and Dumitrash charged him.. He was told to get on the ground, and when he charged, he was shot..Â
Sad case, but, when someone with a gun, tells you do do something, like get on the ground, when you are doing something you shouldn't,... it isn't to wise to charge the guy..
Another source says he wanted to turn his life around, and was going to attend bible school in Florida.. He may have been a really nice guy, but, he shouldn't have been trying to break into cars.. and he shouldn't have charged the guy with the gun..
You're not legally obligated to stand by and watch a crime being committed but there is a fine line between standing ones ground and instigating a deadly confrontation.  I hope the best for the defendant whom has already suffered more then he probably should for this.  Sounds completely different then the case of the seattlite leaning out his apartment window and shooting a car prowler verses going out and telling the perp to stop. If he then threatens you? Defend yourself.
While what this guy did might be totally illegal, the world has one less car prowler to worry about. So if you have a need to go out prowling around, it's a good idea to know that someone in the community might be willing to take the law into their own hands. Where I live, the philosophy is this: the bad guy needs to lose, every single time. Call me a gun-nut, an armchair warrior, or whatever you want (the bad guys and those who support them are good with names), but in my neighborhood, we're nosy and we watch out for each other.
The NRA should set up gun training courses for chubby scary white guys.
Obviously he does know how to use a gun.. the car prowler is dead.. now, it is just a prosecutor that wants to charge him with something because they don't agree with confronting crime..
Cops don't like competition
One night I had someone come into my carport and attempt to break into my car - my furiously barking growling dog woke me up and the dog barking and me yelling ' what the F" scared the sh$thead prowler silly and they jumped over the back fence and got away before I could get my gun out.  If I hadn't been sound asleep when this happened and I got woke up like this,  the person might have been shot by me and bit in the arse by my dog. I think it was my dog barking like that scared him off. Whew - that was a crazy way to wake up in the middle of the night. But that person was on my property - I'm not sure how the law works with a person across the street or out in the street. I'm pretty certain you can't chase them and shoot them once off your poperty either.
Hmmm... seems like a security guard at the FDA lab in Bothell ought to pay some very close attention to this story...! So also should a whole bunch of folk - gun nuts I think - who have been defending him.
This person should not be charged he should be congratulated... the darn prowler got what they deserved! ... I for one see one less of them as a GOOD THING!
Dum...it...trash  now there is a reason for a name change!
Extremely BIASED headline by KOMO!
"Homeowner pleads not guilty to murdering car prowler"
Yes, he KILLED the car prowler, but it's up to the courts to decide if he MURDERED the car prowler. If the man was attacked inside his home and killed the burgler, did he murder him? No. If the homeowner is being charged with murder, and is convicted of murder, then yes, he murdered him. But Komo should not use their headlines to judge a person. That in itself is an abuse of media power.
@parkinator um... "reading" & "comprehension".... he was charged with 2nd degree "murder" so he pled not guilty to "murder"... put a bit of thought into it OK?
Part of what the prosecutor is probably doing is throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks. We may never know exactly what happened, but a trial should help bring things to light. I doubt that a jury would convict if the car thief attacked the man, but we don't have enough evidence from the news reports to make an informed decision (hopefully the prosecutor does).
If the thief had just stolen the car, I don't think a killing would be justified. Better to call the cops, take a picture, and let the thief go. Killing someone over a car leads to more problems than it solves. And killing thieves won't incline others to stop, but is more likely to encourage thieves to carry guns. That doesn't mean we should cower in our homes, but dispensing capital punishment without a trial (in the name of protecting a car) is worse than stealing that same car.
Lets see,... it depends on what he was using to break into cars... If it was in his hand, and he went to swing it at me, whatever it was, I'd be inclined to shoot him too..
This is about confronting crime, and the criminal decided to try to fight instead of running.. OOOPS... that mistake cost him his life..
The prosecutor going for 2nd degree murder, is just trying to coddle criminals. The guy was defending himself.. (as far as what the story says)
It is well known that our justice system does nothing about car theft, so why should we be surprised when people take matters into their own hands? One way or another, these dirtbag thieves need to be eliminated. I say good for this homeowner. I would sit in that jury room for years if that is what it took to keep him out of jail.
@70MonteCarlo I dunno.... did he deliver "a good clean finishing shot"?
@70MonteCarlo EXCELLENT! I couldn't agree more. Thieves need to be sent a message that if they steal they might die!
There has been too many conflicting "facts" to really get a handle on what happened that night. All I know is that Vancouver has a history of prosecuting people for exercising their 2A rights, beyond multiple appeals and judgments in the defendant's favor. The prosecutor of Vancouver is anti gun and is enforcing their personal opinion in the court by bullying those who have done no wrong....it's not much of a stretch to think the prosecutor would nail a person to the wall even for a good shoot within the law. I have no way of knowing what happened for sure, but I don't trust for one second that the prosecution is unbiased.
 @dg54321 Any cites or links to back this up? It wouldn't be surprising; people are people and just like some people are scum some prosecutors are scum (Nifong comes to mind as a great example. Angela Corey is another good example of a scumbag prosecutor).
 @Iconoclast Well, I'm trying to find it, about 20 pages deep in the Washington forum on OpenCarry.org, there was a man in Vancouver arrested for simple lawful OC and the prosecutor, despite being told about the law clearly being on his side, refused to drop the charges....last I heard it was being taken to the federal level to appeal as the judges involved at the local level in Vancouver are also apparently anti-gun and do not care what the law says.
 @Iconoclast Finally found it: http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/showthread.php?52346-LEO-gave-me-a-ticket
I have learned not to jump to conclusions. once the truth comes out may it change ur mind. We know absoluting about the thief. or if there was a rash of break ins. However as a gun owner. if u pull a gun out u use it. other wise don't confrount anyone unless your or someone elses life is threaten.
 @Linc239  "if u pull a gun out u use it."
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BS!
 @Linc239 One can use lethal force for more than defense of lives.
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http://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.16.050
 @Iconoclast I think you've misread that statute...
 @138 That is very possible. But my classes and other readings lead me to believe that one does not have to be in fear for your life to use lethal force for defense.
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otoh, civilians cannot shoot someone leaving/running away. We aren't police, after all, and have not been trained or authorized to do that.
This guy a hero if more people did what this guy did crime will drop
 @Seattle So, the death is price one should pay for an alleged car prowl?
I see you have a high regard for human life.Â
Just a guess, I bet your pro life when it comes to abortion as I am too.
 @snoopy84 From other reports, this prowler attacked Doucette. Doucette's wife confirms this. The shots were in the chest (while walking away?).Â
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We know about Doucette's background. What about the prowler's?Â
 @snoopy84 It might be weak, but it sounds stronger than the prosecutor's case. Dependent, of course, on quality reporting (yeah, like that ever happens).
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When this plays out if Doucette is determined to be innocent and if it appears the prosecutor was merely persecuting Doucette for exercising his right to self-defense then steps should be taken to sanction that prosecutor. Note the "if"s in that sentence.
 @Iconoclast  @snoopy84 "The shots were in the chest (while walking away?" I'm sure if this helps his defense.
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The alleged prowler was  unarmed and Doucett shows no signs of being attacked. As for his wife being his only witness- the story is weak to justify shooting a prowler.
If it was just a car prowler I would have let him walk away and called the cops. If he tried to fight I'd shoot him. If it was verbal threats I would have just told him to leave before he got hurt. Don't like criminals either but you have to weigh the choices and decide if what the crook was doing was severe enough to get the death penalty. But this is a choice every individual has to make for themselves. I would give the victim the benefit of the doubt unless there is evidence that they guy was shot in the back.
Given the circumstances, Doucette didn't have a reason to shoot. This "car prowler" was not trying to break in to Doucette's house nor was he on Doucette's property. Doucette should have never engaged him in the first place. The cops should have been called and taken care of it. Sounds like this guy was trying to be a hero and he is going to pay the price for it.
@Tattooed_Angel Not playing the hero, just does not want to be a victim.  There is a difference, however many, apparently such as yourself, do not see or understand that difference
@Tattooed_Angel It's likely the cops wouldn't have shown up for quite a while.
I'm not sure how I feel about this shooting. Human life is precious, even the life of a thief. Years ago I had a friend who lived a very sad childhood. She was raised by foster parents because her mom had died when she was born and her father could not take care of her. She didn't know her father - he was the man who came to visit once in awhile. When she was 8 he came to take her away from her "mom and dad" to live with him. She was angry and grieving and she ran away multiple times to try to get back to what she considered her real home. She told me sometimes she would find unlocked cars and sleep in them because it would be so cold outside. Can you imagine what would happen if some guy with a gun thought she was stealing something from him? You must be responsible with your weapon. I'm not sure how this was handled, but did he tell the guy he had a gun and was calling the police or did he just get angry about the theft, confront him, and shoot him? A 19 year old has a chance to change his ways for the better...but this young man was not given that opportunity. I don't like stealing, I don't condone it and it makes me angry, but if I were to choose a form of punishment for it it would not be death.
 @lotrfan I know how I feel. Unless his life was immediately threatened, he should not have fired.Â
 @mac14 Apparently it did get physical... http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2013/02/vancouver_man_pleads_not_guilt.html It is clear that the criminal was shot in the chest... while walking away claims the prosecution?
 @d_2 It sounds like his wife and the shot placement contradicts the prosecution's case. Another overly political prosecutor wanting to punish anyone using a firearm in self-defense? If so the prosecutor should be disbarred like Nifong.
 @lotrfan Sad story indeed... but there is risk when entering a home/vehicle/structure that is not yours. Losing ones life in this case is extreme - agreed. But, there is always that chance and it should be considered before doing so. Remember, entering w/o being invited by the owner or resident is a crime. You cannot expect them to ask you to leave pretty please with sugar on top.
I would think showing an unarmed man a gun and holding him at gunpoint until the cops arrived would've worked. So why would he need to shoot the guy? I don't buy his story or not guilty plee.
 @Anarchy Because Dumitrash (appropriate name?) attacked him.
Anytime you have a gun, it is a mighty fine idea to have pepper spray or other less-than-lethal options (e.g. taser). I bet this gentleman would love to go back in time and choose instead to tase the guy. Even if he doesn't end up going to prison, this is going to be a terrible ordeal for him and his family. When you're at home it's even easier - a nice big 1lb can of pepper spray with 20' range (something you couldn't realistically carry around with you through the day).
 @Adrian the nerdÂ
Pure genius! Light off a can of pepper spray inside the house. Clearly you have never experienced this. If you lit that can off inside, everyone is now incapacitated. Not a good idea....
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What is the best idea is an extreme flash light. Imagine getting hit with an LED light in the eye. You are not going to see anything at all for a while. The best non lethal tool out there.
 @Adrian the nerd Why would I carry pepper spray if I have a gun?Â
@DarkParty @Adrian the nerd Deadly force isn't required in every circumstance. I can't say if it was needed in this circumstance, but it's a good idea to have a non-lethal option.
 @DarkParty  @Adrian the nerd Because we should all have a utility belt, and a hold harmless waiver as well that you should make sure the person signs before you defend yourself or your property. Just in case they have some reaction to the non-lethal options.
Betcha the 'real' criminal in this case doesn't do that again........
The fact that Doucette went outside to check on HIS property, confronted a guy (Josif) who was breaking into HIS car, got into a fight with Josif (sp?), who may have been armed (we don't know as it doesn't say in any of the articles I've read) and shot him, seems to escape many who are posting here.
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This is a tragedy all the way around, one that could have been avoided had Josif not been prowling cars.Â
 @jlynnhood But Dumitrash wasn't breaking into Doucette's car. The article clearly states that it was a neighbor's car across the street. Doucette engaged the man when he shouldn't have.
@Tattooed_Angel Besides, if Dumistrash was breaking into my neighbors car, I would still confront him. If you let this trash do this to your neighbor, he'll likely do it to you next. Not saying that I would get into a fight with him, unless he attacked me, but for sure confront him and call the police.Â
@jlynnhood Yes, if everyone turned a blind eye we would never catch anyone. There would be no witnesses to prosecute the thieves! I agree that I would not have fought either.
 @Tattooed_Angel Walking toward the prowler was engaging? Doucette's wife states that the prowler attacked Doucette as he walked toward the car. Whose car it was doesn't matter.
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If (and this is a big if) the prowler attacked Doucette then Doucette has a much better case than the prosecutor believes. While some might disagree that being attacked by an unarmed man is not enough of a threat for using lethal force, who knows what that criminal has in his pockets.
@Tattooed_Angel:Â The second article (from the local paper) actually said it was Doucette's car that Dumitrash was breaking into.
 @jlynnhood Or maybe it could have been avoided if Doucette had called the police.
@Cetus: Or maybe Josif could have kept his grubby hands to himself and not tried to break into Doucette's car, then when confronted, try to fight Doucette. I don't think that is too unreasonable.
@jlynnhood Nor do I, but felons rarely think like that.  The appropriate action is to watch the guy, get as much information about him that you can and call the police.  They're trained to handle situations like that.  Doucette was a vigilante and will suffer the consequences of his hubris.
 @Cetus   When seconds count, the police are only 20 minutes away.
@Glassman @Cetus How did seconds count?  The only thing under duress before he left his house, crossed the street and confronted the man was a car.  Is a car really worth doing time for?
 @idiots with guns are trouble But the story doesnt' say either way whether Josif was armed or not. Stands to reason that if he forced entry to the car, he would have been armed with at least a screw driver. Nonetheless, Josif and Doucette got into a fight and Josif lost.
 @idiots with guns are trouble So you have already decided based on the news report? We don't know if this prowlers had a history of violence. We don't know why the prowlers was shot in the chest. We don't know about any other reports from witnesses.
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 @idiots with guns are trouble What's stopping you from attempting to steal a car or someones property? Perhaps you might lose your life? If all criminals considered the possible consequences, there would be less crime. In this case you are calling the real victim the criminal. Bassackwards fool.
 @idiots with guns are trouble TrollÂ
 @Glassman  @Cetus So pull out a gun and shoot someone committing a misdemeanor who's most likely NOT armed! Great idea! Enjoy your murder indictment, genius.