Critical Thinking

Ask students to read the first report. (This is from a blog) Discuss the
story. Get the participants reaction to the piece, but at this stage steer
them away from thinking about the source, focus instead on the issue of
self defence and the right to carry arms and when is murder
manslaughter etc. From the way the piece is written, the choice of
vocabulary and the information included / excluded is designed to
engender sympathy for Davis Carlson.
Read the second piece (from the liberal New York Times newspaper).
How have their views of the case changed? What significant information
did they come across that altered the story ? ( rape / underage
consensual sex. Sanches lunged/ attacked or moved forward etc. )

Can they trust either source?

The blog was written by Bob Owens, the President of the Rifle Association
which is a very strong supporter of the rights for Americans to carry guns.
The New York Times is a vociferous member of the anti-gun lobby.

Lake school

enquiries@englishinoxford

Hero kills fugitive rape suspect but since its

New York, hes been charged with murder
Posted by Bob Owens on October 19 at 9:31 am

David Carlson shot and killed a wanted rape suspect after heavily-armed teams of police
chased the violent criminal out of the woods near his home
But it isnt just a shooting; its an act many here consider to be heroic a defence of the
community. It has now set the stage for a trial that could help define the limits of deadly force
when an armed citizen is facing a fleeing criminal suspect .New York State, of course,
doesnt let you defend yourself so hes being charged with second degree murder. Under
New Yorks pro-criminal laws, Carlson was supposed to turn his back and flee into his home
with a rapist in pursuit.
Acosta-Sanchez had been staying in a small cabin on Old Plank Road near Carlson's home;
Carlson had befriended him, offering meals and paying him to do odd jobs, until AcostaSanchez revealed that he was wanted by police for the rape of a child. Carlson contacted
police and agreed to help them apprehend the fugitive as he worried for the safety of his
family. On Tuesday, arrangements were made with Deerpark police: Carlson would get
Acosta-Sanchez in his car and speed, and the police would pull him over and arrest AcostaSanchez. Carlson said he tried, driving 65 on Route 42 as he was told, but the police didn't
show up because of a shift change.
The next day, he tried again, getting Acosta-Sanchez in the car under a pretence. This time
police stopped the car and took Acosta-Sanchez with them, but didn't handcuff him. Carlson
said he went home, thinking it was done. But when Acosta-Sanchez convinced police to let
him return to the cabin to get his identification, he fled out the back and got away by
swimming across a reservoir.
"They had like 50 cops out there Wednesday. I don't know how they didn't catch him,"
Carlson told the investigators.
Carlson said he kept in touch with police, as Acosta-Sanchez made two more appearances
at the cabin. Carlson was increasingly afraid that the police would be unable to apprehend
him. The morning of the shooting, Carlson said, the wanted man banged on his door saying
the police were chasing him. He was angry that Carlson had tried to turn him in. This time,
Carlson got his shotgun and told Acosta-Sanchez to give himself up. Carlson said he was
afraid when Acosta-Sanchez suddenly realised that Carlson intended calling the police on a
neighbours phone. Carlson thought he was going to attack him so he fired two shots in selfdefence.
Neighbours have expressed support for Carlson, 43, including one who used her home to
help Carlson post the $100,000 bond. The David Carlson Fund was set up to help with legal
expenses and support his family.

Lake school

enquiries@englishinoxford

Police have charged 47 year old Daniel

Carlson with the murder of Nathaniel AcostaSanches. Late last summer, Acosta-Sanchez
was doing odd jobs on Carlson's property. But
when Carlson learned Acosta-Sanchez was
being sought on charges of having
consensual sex with a 15-year-old girl in
Ramapo, Carlson contacted police and

with Carlson on the day of the killing. One

demanded they apprehend the fugitive.

officer, state Police Investigator William

Young, testified that he asked Carlson several

Police pulled over Carlson's car on a

times whether Acosta-Sanchez had been

supposed traffic stop and took Acosta-

coming at him and that Carlson repeatedly

Sanchez into custody. But when Acosta-

responded that he hadnt.

Sanchez convinced police to let him return to

the cabin to get his identification, he fled out

He had been heard ordering Acosta-Sanchez

the back and got away by swimming across a

to sit, and yelled for the neighbour, but no

reservoir. The police felt Acosta-Sanches

one was home. Acosta-Sanchez rolled on his

posed no immediate threat and would be

side and refused to get up, so Carlson fired a

apprehended in due course.

shot into the ground to prompt him. He went

to the neighbour two houses down and

Acosta-Sanchez continued living in the cabin

ordered Acosta-Sanchez to lay down. As he

on the day of the killing Carson had twice

turned his head to yell for help, he said,

telephoned the police informing them of his

Acosta-Sanchez got to his knees,

whereabouts. He witnessed Acosta-Sanchez

coming out of the woods, so Carlson pulled

Young: "He's kneeling down in front of you,

out a shotgun and walked him down the road

youre facing him, you take your attention

to get a neighbour to call police. He had

away to call (the neighbour), the next thing

Acosta-Sanchez get down on the ground and

that brings your attention to him is he's now

claimed he shot him, first in the arm, then in

lunging toward you."

the head, when he got up and moved toward

him. The police testified about their
conversation

Carlson: "Pretty much lunging, I couldn't say

like a leopard but he was getting up."
Neighbours testified that Carlson had warned
them that there was a rapist in the cabin and
he had told them to stay indoors until he and
the police had hunted the dog down
The trial continues.

Lake school

enquiries@englishinoxford