Theodore Wafer will be tried for second-degree murder, manslaughter and felony firearm charges, Michigan judge, David Turfe ordered today.
Wafer is the Dearborn, Michigan man who shot unarmed 19-year-old Renisha McBride in the early hours of November 2nd after she knocked on his door seeking help after a car accident. Wafer’s attorneys claim the 54-year-old feared for his life and acted in self defense, however Judge Turfe came to a different conclusion.
“We can’t allow (someone) to use a bad decision as a shield to criminal prosecution…the defendant made a bad choice,” the judge said, “He chose to shoot rather than not answer the door.”
Wafer shot McBride in the head. Hs lawyer pointed to Michigan’s 2006 self-defense law. “You don’t know how many people are out there,” she said. “There’s violent banging on the front door. We have a man alone in his home.”
An assistant prosecutor said the idea that a person who was “afraid” would answer the door first and call the police later is “ridiculous.”
There is no set date for the trail.
Renisha McBride's Gunman to Face Trial for Second Degree Murder
"We can't allow (someone) to use a bad decision as a shield to criminal prosecution," said judge David Turfe.