Jump to content

CCW Safe wins court case for concealed carrier charged with murder.


Recommended Posts

As a CCW Safe member, I was very happy to see this come into my inbox:

 

Real Experience, Real World

 

CCW safe is proud to announce that after a two week Murder trial a CCW Safe member was found Not Guilty in the first full self defense murder trial in the industry. For the last two years the company has funded the defense of a member involved in a self defense shooting. He was attacked twice at an event and retreated to his vehicle to retrieve his firearm when he was confronted again by his attacker. He gave warning and then shot and killed the attacker as he was attacked a third time. He was charged with Murder. Within 24 hours, CCW Safe had boots on the ground. The member was bonded out of jail, highly reputable and experienced criminal defense lawyers entered appearances for his defense, expert witnesses were later hired who are leaders in their field, as well as the in-house consultation resources of CCW Safe's experienced advisory board and trial consultants.

CCW Safe has spent over $300,000 in attorneys fees and costs in the defense of this member. Yet, our member has never received a bill or an invoice from any of the people or companies who have spent the last two years working hard to make sure he remains free. If this case involved a member of NRA Carry Guard, USCCA or US law shield, he would have had to spend a tremendous amount of money out of pocket with only a hope of being reimbursed. For instance, under the NRA Carry Guard model, he would be responsible for 80% of the expenses until he was acquitted. Only then would he receive a reimbursement for the remaining 80%. That would've resulted in our member declaring bankruptcy. Had he been convicted, none of our competitors would have paid. CCW Safe is the only company that not only defends and pays, we stand behind decision to use force.

CCW Safe's Claims Committee is planning a video series that will feature National Trial Counsel, Don West, and the Defense team who tried the case. Throughout the two year fight the defense lawyers have said numerous times that they were blown away by the expertise and resources provided to them by CCW safe. CCW Safe provided at no cost to our member, jury consultants, trial exhibit consultants, Don West as a trial strategy consultant along with retired homicide investigators providing case analysis and focus for the cross examination of the authorities who botched the investigation. This case stands as a direct example of why CCW safe is the ONLY company who can honestly say, "CCW Safe. Backed by Experts. Backed by Insurance."

I really like the fact that CCW Safe is backed by a captive insurance policy that is specifically created and funded to cover firearm- and self-defensive (any weapon) related incidents.

I also like that now the "Well, what cases have they won for clients" discussion has been answered by this case for people like me who have CCW Safe. I've had the opportunity to actually talk to some of the people involved in running this company a few years back and I was impressed by their customer-focus and service. But I definitely had my "what if" doubts.

Not anymore, thankfully.

UPDATE: I just got a reply back from CCW Safe itself regarding an "Attaboy" e-mail I sent them about the case in that news-posting, from the COO and Co-Founder of the company, which reads as follows:

[ChicagoRonin70],

 

Thank you for your support! This was a huge win and the entire membership group needed to know we were the first in the industry to fight through the worse case scenario (A Murder charge on a self-defense case). All of our cases are treated as confidential and we respect the privacy of our members. That is the reason we do not put the members on display unless the member really pushes for their story to be told; at that time we present the information respectfully and carefully (case by case basis). We do appreciate you sharing information about our business and utilizing this news to add to the faith you have in our company.

 

Be safe.

 

That's some d@mned good customer-service responsiveness for an e-mail that I sent only an hour or so ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought USCCA paid up front? Guess I was mistaken.

 

Edit:

 

From their site:

 

Up-Front, No Out-Of-Pocket Coverage

If you're involved in a self-defense incident your Critical Response Team will instantly take any and all financial burdens off your shoulders. No deductible, no reimbursement, no out-of-pocket costs to your familyâ¦

Link to comment
Share on other sites

UPDATE: I just got a reply back from CCW Safe itself regarding an "Attaboy" e-mail I sent them about the case in that news-posting, from the COO and Co-Founder of the company, which reads as follows:

[ChicagoRonin70],

 

Thank you for your support! This was a huge win and the entire membership group needed to know we were the first in the industry to fight through the worse case scenario (A Murder charge on a self-defense case). All of our cases are treated as confidential and we respect the privacy of our members. That is the reason we do not put the members on display unless the member really pushes for their story to be told; at that time we present the information respectfully and carefully (case by case basis). We do appreciate you sharing information about our business and utilizing this news to add to the faith you have in our company.

 

Be safe.

 

That's some d@mned good customer-service responsiveness for an e-mail that I sent only an hour or so ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought USCCA paid up front? Guess I was mistaken. Edit: From their site: Up-Front, No Out-Of-Pocket Coverage If you're involved in a self-defense incident your Critical Response Team will instantly take any and all financial burdens off your shoulders. No deductible, no reimbursement, no out-of-pocket costs to your familyâ¦

 

 

I think I recently read the same thing about USCCA or was told that by someone in the know. Now I have to look.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I thought USCCA paid up front? Guess I was mistaken. Edit: From their site: Up-Front, No Out-Of-Pocket Coverage If you're involved in a self-defense incident your Critical Response Team will instantly take any and all financial burdens off your shoulders. No deductible, no reimbursement, no out-of-pocket costs to your familyâ¦

 

 

 

 

I think I recently read the same thing about USCCA or was told that by someone in the know. Now I have to look.

 

Also, ChicagoRonin got a response that said they were the first in industry to win. When USCCA has a couple videos of customers who had to use them after a DGU.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went on CCWSafe's Facebook page and saw a couple people questioning their claim.

 

 

 

Andrew Branca First, congrats on a big win. Second, you might want to do some fact checking:

"If this case involved a member of NRA Carry Guard, USCCA or US law shield, he would have had to spend a tremendous amount of money out of pocket with only a hope of being
reimbursed."

That's certainly true for NRA Carry Guard, and I don't know enough about US Law Shield to know one way or the other, but it's not true with respect to USCCA. I've consulted on several USCCA cases, and I know for a fact that I was paid up-front, and to my knowledge the lead counsel for whom I consulted were also paid up-front.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

These companies have changed their plans so frequently it's hard to keep track of what any of them currently offered or offered in the past. I think the fact that multiple companies are starting to offer similar up front type services is an indicator that the market is pushing toward a particular preferred model. I chose CCWSafe because at the time it seemed to offer the best plan at a reasonable price. Other options were Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, USCAA, and Second Call Defense. Now with US Law Shield and NRA Carry Guard it seems like we are spoiled for choice.

 

It would be nice if we could get a definitive explanation of the differences between all these options. Most of them have a graphic that compares their service to their competitors, but I don't think that's very reliable especially with how frequently they all change their policies. Honestly, it seems like your best bet is to just pick one and carry on. Any one would be better than nothing and none of them will really protect you if you actually commit a crime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Excellent news! I'm curious where the shooting occurred and why the prosecutor tried going for murder charges. Over zealous prosecutor, or perhaps anti-gun?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a response from CCW Safe, which seems to make sense. I might consider them.

 

 

 

CCWSafe Thanks Andrew, it was a big win, and our attorneys were very thankful that they attended your class. We're not questioning if they pay their attorneys or not, I believe whole heartedly that they do. But according to their plans listed on the website, at the highest level, they cap criminal attorneys fees at $150,000. Bail is covered up to $25k. So in this real world case, our member would have been out $25k on bail as he had a $500k bail set. The cost outside of bail was another $270k on this case, which looks like this would leave another $120k out of pocket. The bail and additional cost on the trial would leave $145k out of pocket, which for many is a tremendous amount of money.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Be careful if you think CCWSafe will pay your bail. I believe they arrange the meeting with the bail bondsman, but you will need to have the assets to secure the bond, like real estate or securities in the amount of the bail. I'm pretty sure that how I read it. Maybe a lawyer or two can chime in if there are any reading this.

Or just contact them they're great with quick reply's. Matter of fact I was thinking one of them is a member here and has posted before

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From CCW Safe to clear up any questions about bail.

 

"We do have coverage in each membership for either $250,000 bond protection or up to $1 million bond protection. So, we cover the $25,000 and the $100,000 on either of these for our members to get out of jail, if arrested. Most bail bondsmen require 10% to get you out of jail, and if you are a flight risk or have prior records, then they will require collateral for the rest of the bond to be put up. All of our members are required to possess a CCW permit, and as they have been through background checks, fingerprints, firearm and legal training, to get their CCW permit, none of our members should have to put up the collateral. They only require the collateral if you are known criminal or flight risk. We just completed a murder trial this past Saturday where the member was arrested for murder, we paid the $50,000 on the $500,000 bail bond, and he was found not guilty after waiting almost 2 years for his trial. Our member was not required to pay any collateral to the bail bond agent because he had been vetted through the CCW permit application process. So, there are many times when bail collateral is not required.

Thank you and be safe,

 

David Darter

CCW Safe Accounts Manager"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"leave $145k out of pocket, which for many is a tremendous amount of money."

 

Is there anyone (around here) to whom this is NOT a tremendous amount of money?

Where do you see that relating to Ccw Safe?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

"leave $145k out of pocket, which for many is a tremendous amount of money."

 

Is there anyone (around here) to whom this is NOT a tremendous amount of money?

Where do you see that relating to Ccw Safe?

 

 

 

Insurance is a form of gambling. It formalized with Lloyd's and ships going to the new world. Do you need insurance? It is a question of risk vs cost. I have no idea what percentage of CCW holders are ever going to have an issue -- I assume the percentage is Infinitesimal. An insurance company can give you a good guess and then they add on their margins and profit. As an insured, your exposure is very small but the financial consequences are the driving consideration. Is $ 145 k significant to you would be a significant criteria – relative to any company

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A thread at another site (CalGuns) is saying this is the case

 

Maddox found not guilty of murder in October 2015 shooting death

 

 

TRIAL TESTIMONY

Wilkerson approached Maddox outside the convention center bathroom the night of the incident. Maddox testified that Wilkerson threw him up against the wall and eventually got him on the ground and was on top of him. Wilkerson choked him, Maddox testified, causing him to black out for several seconds. He reached for the only thing he had at the time, a small box cutter he normally carried on him for work purposes. It took four men to get Wilkerson, a 300-pound man, off of him.

Maddox eventually got away, but Wilkerson approached him again — this time on the side of the convention center. That’s where, according to testimony, Wilkerson threw him up against a car, and it took two men to pry him off him again. Maddox testified he didn’t know what would happen next. He feared for his life and believed that if Wilkerson got in control of the situation again, he was going to kill him.

He retrieved his gun. Wilkerson pulled up on his motorcycle, parked it and got off. He started to charge Maddox, according to testimony. Wilkerson grabbed him, and Maddox shot him.

The two wrestled on the ground where he fired additional shots.

Maddox had also called 911. When he talked to the 911 operator, he did everything they told him to do.

He also told them what had happened. Maddox waited for police to arrive in a well-lit area.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/state-rests-its-case-in-biker-murder-trial,90208

 

http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/prosecutors-defense-duel-over-evidence-111,90093

 

..."Wilkerson and Maddox got into a physical altercation that night just outside the bathroom, according to prosecutors. Thats when Maddox sliced Wilkersons face with a knife.

 

Prosecutors say thats when the intent began. Maddox somehow got the knife inside the convention center that night despite security. At no point during the night did Wilkerson have a weapon or was armed with a gun, prosecutors say.

 

Graves has said that Maddox escalated the situation by bringing a weapon. The defense has argued Maddox feared for his life that night. Maddox, a gun owner with a valid concealed carry permit, doesnt have a criminal record.

 

He told police during the interview that this was his first time discharging his gun, a .44-caliber revolver he bought at age 21 in an uncontrolled environment. Wilkerson also had a concealed carry permit. Maddox told police previously he saw Wilkersons wife pass Wilkerson her gun at the host hotel earlier that day in Wilson.

 

Maddox did give police an interview right after the shooting. He was cooperative, police testified.

 

He also called 911 and hung up, but a telecommunicator called him back and he claimed to have shot a man in self-defense. He waited for police to arrive.

 

Maddox mentioned shooting Wilkerson three times. Wilkerson was shot five times, including one bullet that grazed him, according to testimony.

 

The defense contends that after Maddox left a brawl with Wilkerson outside the convention center bathroom, Wilkerson approached him outside again. Police do not believe this second incident occurred.

 

Defense attorneys argued that Wilkerson then approached Maddox a third time.

 

Prosecutors believe Maddox knew what he was doing that night when he decided to get the gun and shoot Wilkerson.

 

Police also testified there were inconsistencies in Maddoxs interview. Police say what he said didnt match the evidence they found.

 

Police also said Tuesday morning there wasnt enough blood transference on Maddoxs vest to show there was a struggle outside the mens bathroom that night. "...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is a story written when the case was rested - It tells a little more about what the police thought and what witnesses said. Note the fact the Prosecutor didn't like that the 'story' didn't match the evidence - and the defense said the shooter was in shock at the time of the interview. DON'T Talk to police without a couple of sleep cycles... it's what the police do. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.

 

State rests its case in biker murder trial

 

 

ETA - I see InterestedBystander ^^^^ beat me to the punch with the second story :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...