A Texas man named Ezekiel Gilbert was just acquitted by a trial of his peers for shooting and killing a 23-year-old escort -- because she refused to have sex with him.
During their 2009 Christmas Eve meeting, the escort refused to have sex with him or return his $150 payment. As she left, Gilbert shot her in the neck, paralyzing her. She died several months later.
Gilbert's attorney argued that the shooting was justified because Texas law allows people "to use deadly force to recover property during a nighttime theft." Because Gilbert expected sex from the escort, her refusal to refund his $150 was considered theft. Now, Gilbert will walk free.
A 23-year-old woman is dead, and her killer is walking free because of a law presumably intended to protect citizens from violent crime. Texas needs to get its priorities straight, and fast.
Please urge Texas lawmakers to clarify their laws to prevent cases like this from ever happening in the future.
We, the undersigned, are shocked by the results of Ezekiel Gilbert's trial. As you know, Gilbert faced life in prison for the slaying of a 23-year-old escort he found on Craigslist. During their 2009 Christmas Eve meeting, the escort refused to have sex with him or return his $150 payment. As she left, Gilbert shot her in the neck, paralyzing her. She died several months later.
Gilbert's attorney argued that the shooting was justified because Texas law allows people "to use deadly force to recover property during a nighttime theft." Because Gilbert expected sex from the escort, her refusal to refund his $150 was considered theft. The jury acquitted Gilbert.
We respectfully urge you to clarify your laws to prevent cases like this from happening in the future. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
