Joe Horn Controversy Still Going Strong

A grand jury recently declined to indict Joe Horn for fatally shooting two burglars who were robbing his neighbor's home, after which Joe Horn gave an interview to say that he did not feel that he was a hero, as many people were saying. Horn contended that he believed his life was in danger and that was when he shot the two men in the back. He was relieved that the specter of a murder indictment was removed. Many people still applauded Joe Horn's actions and said they wished he was their neighbor, and some have even joked that he should be the new police chief in Pasadena. Others call him a cold-blooded murderer.

On July 6, 2008, at a news conference, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, called for a congressional investigation into Harris County. She included the Joe Horn case as a reason for the necessity of a probe. "As far as many are concerned, justice was not rendered," said Jackson Lee.

This was a difficult case from the get-go. With the 911 tape to prove that Horn was told to stay put, as well as own remarks to the 911 operator clearly stating his intention to kill the burglars, there appeared to be no reason to view Horn as anything other than a self-appointed vigilante. However, it turned out that an undercover officer witnessed the shootings and apparently could corroborate the contention that one of the men appeared to be coming toward Mr. Horn. The officer himself was afraid during the incident that Joe Horn might mistake him for a get-away driver so he did not get out of his vehicle.