The Cabin Door That Killed: A Man-Trap, a Storm, and a Supreme Court Warning

Olympia, March 24. — Special. — The following case was filed by the supreme court: State of Washington, respondent, v. Neil S. Parr, appellant, Whatcom county. The defendant in this case was in company with a boy, intending to go into the mountains temporarily. He adjusted his gun in such a way as to compel its discharge should any one attempt to enter the cabin through the door. It was aimed directly at the casing in such a way that a person of ordinary height and sight, standing in front of the door and placing his hand on the latch and pushing the door open a few inches, would receive the entire charge in his body. One night a belated traveler, seeking refuge from the storm, attempted to open the door, and receiving the charge in the body, died instantly. The principal contention of the defendant was that the defendant had a right to do what he did in defense of his property. The supreme court is of the opinion that there was no error in the refusal of the lower court to so instruct the jury, as the question is one of fact, or mixed fact and law, and therefore for the jury. And further, that under the disputed facts any proper interpretation of the law applied thereto would have warranted the court in instructing that the defendant had no right to protect his property by the means used.