Let’s talk Jerome Ersland.
Jerome Ersland was the victim of a robbery a few years back. He owned a pharmacy on the south side of Oklahoma City. Two people attempted to rob Mr. Ersland’s business. Mr. Ersland shot one of the intruders. As a business owner, by law, he had every right to do that. He then went outside to get the other robbers. After returning inside he walked to a drawer, got a second gun, walked over to the kid he just shot, who was lying on his back, and then pumped five more shots into the kid’s chest. He got convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a chance of parole. What’s that? Yes. WITH parole.
A lot of people say, “Well he had every right to defend his business.” Yes. He did. He had every right to shoot. Once. He didn’t have a right to pump five shots into a 16 year old he’d already shot in the head. There’s a lot of problems with his story. He stated to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation he’d been shot and was convinced the kid had a gun. When they received the letter, they informed Mr. Ersland they had the surveillance footage, which immediately obliterated Mr. Ersland’s claims. Mr. Ersland was never shot. The entire thing is on video. If you want to watch it, it’s here.
According to this website Mr. Ersland was shot during the robbery. He wasn’t. The website states he was in Desert Storm. Mr. Ersland wasn’t. He was a pharmacist at the Altus Air Force base. He claims he suffered from PTSD. Kind of hard to do that if all you did was pass out pills to soldiers in Altus. Just saying. I’m not sure how much money this site raised. One dollar is too many.
I’ve watched the video. It certainly looks hectic. Does it look hectic enough for one to not have the wits about him to get a different gun then pump a 16 year old full of lead? No. Not even close. We’ll probably never know why he did what he did after the initial shot. Fear? Maybe. Racism? Probably. I was on an elevator more than once with that guy and he just oozed the kind of vibe that loud and racist uncle you steer clear from every major holiday, oozes. “Oh, just ignore crazy uncle Jerry. He’s a racist asshole.” He came across as one of those guys who will start a joke with, “I’m not racist, but…” then tells you the most racist/homophobic/hateful joke ever uttered.
Did the kid make a mistake? Yes. For sure. Did he deserve to die for it? No. The medical examiner said he was more than likely alive before Ersland went all American Gangster, sans fire, on him. A mother lost her son because of this guy. I’m glad he’s in prison. For life.
So for all of you upset about the Anthony verdict, at least this murderer isn’t going free.
Our governor, Mary “I-Like-To-Bang-Men-Who-Aren’t-My-Husband” Fallin better not pardon this guy. The blood of a 16 year old will be on her hands. A 16 year old who made a horrible choice but lost his life at the hands of someone who made an even worse choice. For once in your life, make the right moral decision, Mary.
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I disagree. Would the kid still have died had he decided NOT to break the law? Doubtful. Did Ersland walk up & down the street looking for kids to shoot? No. Did he shoot someone that knowingly was breaking the law? Yes. Did he over-shoot him? Yes. Do i agree with that, no, but who knows what is going through your mind when someone is robbing you at gunpoint!! But if he hadn’t decided to break the law that night he would still be alive. My point is that if you set out to break the law nothing good happens. I feel sad for the kids mom & family, and Also for Erslands family, but I think when you make a decision to break the law, bad things happen.
They both broke the law. He lied to investigators. First shot? Fine. 100%. The five that followed? Really? If he’s some sort of super soldier he should have known when you shoot an UNARMED kid in the head, they probably aren’t gonna do much harm after that.
Thank you KC, the video doesn’t show the kid after he went down. You don’t know if he was moving or not. I have an issue. With spending my tax money to put this man in prison. How much is it going to cost us, 35,000.00 a year? PROBABLY.
Is he a threat to society? NO
He has taken 1 more criminal off the street? YES
Yea that’s not too nice, you reap what you sow. If that were my child shot I wouldn’t blame the person he was robbing.
If there were more like Ersland we might see a little drop in crimes, also court costs because the criminals would be dead,
So vigilante justice? Jeez.
Jerome Ersland is the great-grandson 27 times removed of the very first King of Norway! He is a true son of Norway! He is an innocent man! I hope the Sons of Norway send the petitions for his freedom!
Ersland is of Norwegian origin.