Id it's in TX then shoot with impunity. Dead men tell no tales
Yes they do. Their language is known as forensic evidence.
In Texas there is a law permitting the use of deadly force to protect moveable, tangible property
if necessary under certain circumstances.
The crime described by the OP is
theft, however, and the use of deadly force to prevent theft is only permitted during the night time.
Even then, your legal fees could far exceed the value of the property, depending upon the circumstances and the evidence. Insurance will compensate you for the loss of the Jeep but it will not pay your lawyers.
Btw, I do live in Texas...If someone messes with my Jeep. Ima shoot the bastard. Its my first vehicle under MY name that I bought...aint no scrub gonna take that away from me! hahah
Be very, very careful from here on out. That little scribble of indelible electronic ink is now permanent and discoverable, and it could result in a murder conviction, should you ever shoot someone who is not charging you with a machete or crashing into your house unlawfully and with force.
I think the biggest thing I've taken from this thread is that I'm more glad than ever that I don't live in California.
Do not conclude that the law in California is much different from the law anywhere else. Yes, there's a unique Texas law covering deadly force to protect tangible, moveable property, but should you shoot a thief outside in any of forty nine states, or even in Texas while the sun is up--well, you'll have some 'splainin' to do, and it probably won't suffice.
The car insurance rates in California might be a good reason to live elsewhere, however.
