At O’Keefe Law, we are proud to stand up for individuals whose constitutional right to self-defense is being challenged. Recently, we were retained to defend a young man charged with open murder and felony firearm in a case that is a clear example of justified self-defense.
Our client has been waiting over two years for a trial—two years of uncertainty, fear, and disruption to his life, all for defending himself against a violent, armed attack by known gang members.
The Facts of the Case
Our client was set up to meet a group of individuals under the pretense of selling marijuana. What he didn’t know was that this meeting was a trap. As he sat in the passenger seat of a friend’s car, another vehicle pulled up beside them. Inside were known gang members—individuals who were heavily involved in shootings, drug crimes, and homicides in the Jackson area. In fact, they were so notorious that law enforcement had placed a tracking device on their vehicle.
The situation escalated immediately. One of the gang members approached our client, pistol-whipped him, and demanded money. In fear for his life, and with no reasonable way to safely retreat, our client fought back. He drew his firearm and defended himself, wounding two attackers and fatally shooting the getaway driver.
This was not an act of aggression—it was an act of survival.
Why We Are Confident in This Case
Self-defense is a fundamental right protected by law. When a person is faced with an immediate threat of death or great bodily harm, they are entitled to use force—including deadly force—to protect themselves.
The facts are clear:
- Our client was violently attacked without provocation.
- The attackers were known criminals, tracked by police for their involvement in serious crimes.
- Our client’s use of force was reasonable and necessary under the circumstances.
We believe strongly that when the evidence is presented to a jury, they will see the truth—our client is innocent of murder. He is a young man who did what he had to do to survive a life-threatening situation.
Our Commitment
At O’Keefe Law, we fight relentlessly for those whose rights have been trampled. When we accepted this case, our first question was simple:
How soon can we go to trial?
We are excited to bring this case to court because we believe in our client, and we believe in the principle that no one should be punished for defending their own life.
We will not back down.
We will not be intimidated.
We will fight—and we will win.
📞 Facing serious charges? Protect your future and your freedom. Call O’Keefe Law today.
(517) 253-0114