People v. Ceballos
Supreme Court of California
526 P.2d 241 (1974)
Relevant factsFree
After noticing pry marks on his garage door, Ceballos (defendant) mounted a trap gun wired to fire if the door was opened; two unarmed teenagers who had made the earlier pry marks returned, and one was shot in the face when he opened the door, having testified he did not know if he would steal anything until he could look inside. Ceballos admitted setting the device purely to protect his property, and was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon; he appealed.
IssueFree
Whether an individual may be held criminally or civilly liable for setting a deadly mechanical device on his premises that injures or kills another person.