The Journal Star has more details about the shooting death of Jer-rell Hall:
“The deceased initiated the use of force by using a handgun for no apparent reason, and that was met with equal or greater force which is allowable by law,” said Peoria County State’s Attorney Kevin Lyons.
“So, even though I am reluctant to say or use the term justifiable homicide in a house full of crackheads, I will say the force that caused his death was allowable given the violent circumstances which he initiated.”
[snip]
Upon reviewing witnesses’ statements, Lyons said it appears several people were at the North Valley house using drugs when Hall called the Rosalezes to come over and hang out.“At some point, Hall produced a handgun and that was questioned by some who didn’t believe it to be real,” Lyons said. “Nevertheless, (Hall) squeezed off a few shots, one grazed near (Joshua Rosalez’s) eye and the other grazed along his neck.”
Narcisco Rosalez and another man, who was not identified, tackled and repeatedly stabbed Hall, Lyons said. As many as five shots were fired during the scuffle, but no one else was hit, he added.
So Hall and the Rosalez pair were just sitting around sipping Diet Cokes and discussing “American Idol,” I suppose. It would be wrong to assume that just because they were sitting inside a crack house that they might be engaging in criminal activity, like selling or using drugs? Last time I checked, that was still a crime. Or didn’t the witnesses — who Lyoins considers completely reliable — admit mention whether or not they were using or selling drugs.
Tags: Jer-rell Hall, Kevin Lyons
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Why don’t you read Lyons’ comments above? He acknowledged the fact they were crackheads, but this was still a justifiable homicide. What’s your point (again)? Why are you on such a crusade against drug addicts? Are you one of those “libertarians” who favor economic freedom, but maintain an authoritarian attitude in social and political matters. Why don’t you just call yourself a conservative republican?
I find the left-libertarian movement to be more consistent than right-libertarians, anyhow. Right-libertarians are so fearful of the state, but don’t give a damn about the concentrated, unaccountable power of the limited liability corporation. i.e. The security guards at Best Buy were the “fascists,” but there was no questioning in your previous article about the rules from corporate, which may dictate the necessity of such actions.
Go ahead, call me a communist, or tell me that I am a bleeding-heart, who wants “crack-heads” to run the street, please do it, and we will see how close you really are to Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh.
Freedom is on the march,
Daniel P. Hummels
[...] Ok, so this was a “justifiable homicide” according to Kevin Lyons. However, is somebody missing the point that the incident takes place…IN A CRACK HOUSE?. The Peoria Pundit has it exactly right when they say, “So they were just sitting around sipping diet cokes and discussing “American Idol“? No additional arrests were made. Nobody from the Crack house….doing Crack were arrested. [...]
Please re-read my comment above, and don’t let “The Peoria Pundit,” do your thinking for you. All he’s good for is spreading Sci-fi paranoia. Let’s see if you can actually respond and argue something I SAID, with something YOU SAY.