Man Kills Mother-in-Law; Gets Fine

[Bowser]

Jury recommends fine after convicting KC man of killing mother-in-law



By MARK MORRIS

The Kansas City Star


A Jackson County jury convicted a Kansas City man late Wednesday of involuntary manslaughter in the Aug. 22, 2011, killing of his mother-in-law.

But jurors found Michael S. Tittone, 28, not guilty of armed criminal action and decided that he should be punished with a fine, rather than imprisonment, a prosecutor’s spokesman said.

A judge will determine the fine at sentencing.

Tittone originally was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Pamela J. Groves, 52, in a home they shared in the 3500 block of St. John Avenue.

In testimony Tuesday, Tittone said Groves often became abusive and violent when she had been drinking. On that evening, he was afraid that she might again threaten him with a large knife that his defense lawyer showed the jury.

Tittone said he pointed a handgun at Groves and ordered her to her room. She then punched him in the throat and he lost his balance, he said.

“I can’t tell you if I pulled the trigger or if it happened while I stumbled backward,” Tittone said.

Tittone became emotional during his testimony, weeping as he described his long and conflicted relationship with Groves.

“She was like a father to me in a weird way,” Tittone said. “I loved that woman. I didn’t want this to happen.”



To contact Mark Morris, call 816-234-4310 or send email to mmorris@kcstar.com.




http://www.kansascity.com/2012/06/21...onvicting.html

[Setsuna]

LOL KC is a beautiful city with beautiful people. He'd be dead in Florida.

[boogblaster]

wonder if he's fo hire .....

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by boogblaster

wonder if he's fo hire .....

yeah, wonder if he's taking contracts?
lotta folks have Dirty Deeds that need to be done dirt cheap.

[Bowser]

“I can’t tell you if I pulled the trigger or if it happened while I stumbled backward,” Tittone said.


Seriously, this worked at trial. Either his m-i-l was a screaming harpy that deserved to die, or he was fortunate enough to have the world's dumbest group of jurors, ever.

[Msmith]

Is this her?

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by Msmith

Is this her?

Obviously not. The only way to kill her is to throw her from a train.

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

Obviously not. The only way to kill her is to throw her from a train.

yeah, just dont get

to do it.

[Marcellus]

“She was like a father to me in a weird way,” Tittone said.

[Old Dog]

I guess she shouldn't have brought a knife to a gunfight.

[Nickel D]

I like this sentence.

Involuntary manslaughter means it was in self-defense or accidental, so it's not like their letting a serial killer run rampant in our society. Plus, the judicial system is getting money, not having to expend it on keeping another prisoner fed and healthy at our expense.

I'm hoping the fine is in the thousands of dollars.

[Nickel D]

Originally Posted by Old Dog

I guess she shouldn't have brought a knife to a gunfight.

Not sure about that, but I know for sure she shouldn't have brought a fist to a gunfight.

[-King-]

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Bowser

“I can’t tell you if I pulled the trigger or if it happened while I stumbled backward,” Tittone said.


Seriously, this worked at trial. Either his m-i-l was a screaming harpy that deserved to die, or he was fortunate enough to have the world's dumbest group of jurors, ever.

I was thinking exactly the same thing. If I ever kill someone, I'm not sure I'd have the guts to try that as an explanation.

[durtyrute]

Where is the wife/daughter?