Opinion ID: 2083022
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Housley's Actions

Text: Riley Housley took the stand on his own behalf. He was 23 years old at the time of the shooting incident. Housley was a high school graduate and a construction worker. He stood 6'3 tall, weighed 165 pounds, and was extremely nearsighted. His uncorrected vision in his right eye was 20-400 and his left eye tested at 20-300. Housley had lived at 2807 Pillsbury with his fiancee, Denise Nelson, since April of 1979. Housley had no criminal record. Housley testified that before moving to 2807 Pillsbury he lived on 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis. He stated that his residence there was burglarized in April of 1979 at 2:30 in the afternoon. Stereo equipment and money were stolen, and the theft was reported to the police. Housley and Denise Nelson then moved to 2807 Pillsbury. The defendant testified he was robbed and beaten in his home on Pillsbury in July of 1979. Housley testified that a man burst through the door and struck him in the head with a crowbar. Another man appeared in the doorway and yelled, Cops! Riley Housley, Denise Nelson and a friend were then robbed while the man who had appeared in the doorway pointed a shotgun at them. The prosecution stipulated that on July 18, 1979, at five minutes after midnight, a report was received by the Minneapolis Police Department indicating a robbery of a dwelling at 2807 Pillsbury Avenue South, the victim listed as Riley B. Housley, III. Housley testified that this incident caused him to become extremely frightened and concerned. In addition to adding security locks to the premises, the day after the July 1979 robbery he went with Denise Nelson to purchase a handgun. At that time he was advised as to the registration procedures to be followed in purchasing a handgun, and he followed these procedures. He also discussed with the salesperson the type of weapon he wanted and decided to purchase a .32 caliber pistol which he believed to be less damaging than a .45, a .38, or a .22 caliber pistol. His purpose was to acquire a gun that would stop somebody, but not necessarily kill them. At that time Denise Nelson bought a .22 rifle so that they could have immediate protection. About 10 days later the permit was secured from the police department and Housley took possession of a .32 caliber handgun. Housley had never had guns in his home before the July 1979 robbery. He and Denise subsequently took target practice with the handgun and Housley became familiar with its operation. The gun was usually kept in the bedroom. Housley testified that during the early morning hours of December 13, 1979, the day of the shooting, he was drinking beer at a friend's home. Housley did not get home until 6 a. m. He stripped to his underwear and a T-shirt and then fell asleep on the couch in the living room with one of the pillows over his head. Denise Nelson arose at about 12:30 and took the dog, which belonged to the parties, and went to her mother's house to help clean. Before leaving she shook Housley and informed him of the fact that she was going. She testified that Housley is an extremely sound sleeper and that it requires great effort to arouse him when he is asleep. Defendant testified that he was later awakened by a thud or a crash which sounded as if it came from the kitchen. He testified that he then heard the sound of glass being crunched in the kitchen. Housley stated that he was terrified, thinking that someone had broken into the house and that he was being robbed again. Housley never used the back door of the house, nor did his housemate, Ms. Nelson. Housley testified that he could not find his glasses in the area of the couch, but discovered his handgun in the back of a cushion, where it was kept from time to time. Housley testified that he stood up, cocked the automatic pistol, and looked through the dining room at the doorway to the kitchen. There he saw a large bushy figure kind of partially silhouetted in the light just about to enter the dining room, some 15 to 20 feet away. Housley testified that the man, who filled the doorway, appeared to have a gun in his hand, and started to make a jerking motion with his left hand. Housley testified that he thought the intruder was about to fire upon him so he just shot toward him. Housley denied seeing anyone else present in the kitchen. Housley thought he fired two or three shots. Sergeant Ronald Adler testified that an automatic weapon such as that used by the defendant could fire four or five rounds in a second or so. When Housley saw the figure in the doorway fall to his knees he picked up the phone in the dining room and ran into the bathroom. There he called the Minneapolis Police Department for help. Housley was arrested in his underwear and a T-shirt. He was not wearing shoes or socks. He was not wearing his glasses. In an interview that afternoon, Housley freely volunteered all information concerning the incident. Sergeant Adler testified that Housley was very cooperative. Housley's account of the incident, which he gave to Sergeant Adler after his arrest, was identical to the account he gave at trial.