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Man killed by home owner during burglary

A man has died following a stab wound while attempting a robbery at a residence in Funchal, with the case now being investigated by the Judiciary Police (PJ).

By TPN, in News, Portugal, Crime, Madeira & Azores · 15 Nov 2022, 12:03 · 19 Comments

According to the Diário de Notícias da Madeira, the man was killed by the owner of a residence in the Santo Amaro area, on the outskirts of Funchal, during an alleged robbery attempt.

The owner of the house allegedly stabbed the robber, causing his death, and leading to his arrest.

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Comments

Why would the home owner be arrested? Its so stupid that a thief's rights superceed a victims rights when defending what is theirs and possibly their lives. The right to rob unhindered, never heard of anything so stupid.

By Nick from Lisbon on 15 Nov 2022, 13:28

I see no problem here. Try and rob my house and you’ll get the same treatment.

By Ian from Beiras on 15 Nov 2022, 13:30

If it was in the USA where the judicial is highly effective, the guy who killed the burglar because he was trespassing his property for a second time after police left and being robbed with his father by his side, should not have any legal consequence whatsoever.

By Diogo F. from Madeira on 15 Nov 2022, 16:47

The robber took a risk: play stupid games, win stupid prizes. The owner did not only have the right, but the obligation towards his family, to protect his home and his loved ones. I myself am going to get a big scary, and very well-trained dog, if burglaries and crimes continue to rise in this country and the law will choose to protect the criminals, and not the law-abiding, tax-paying citizens.

By Hart from Lisbon on 15 Nov 2022, 18:14

Like People are saying whats wrong with this, Why is the house owner being investigated, How about the scumbag that caused the crime & the vermin that raised him, you know what my old boss Ghadaffi would have said to this . Go on Guess. !!!!!!!

By carlmason from Algarve on 15 Nov 2022, 19:42

Seems fine to me; the owner has a right to defend himself and his property, that much is clear and true, but I don't see too much issue in the police investigating the incident when ultimately a man died on the owner's property.
Yes, he was a thief, but at the end of the day it's a reasonably serious issue that a human life was lost, and one worth looking into; it's foolish to call this a case of the owner's rights being superseded by the robber's when the robber is too dead to have any rights.
It would be especially ignorant to unfavorably compare the judicial here with the United States', given the USA's many, many flaws.
Things are far from perfect here, but they're a hell of a lot better than many places, in many respects.

By Trn from Lisbon on 16 Nov 2022, 00:56

I understand the home owner being arrested, but he should be released without charge, if it is found he was was defending his, property and he believes his life. This dort of intrusion in to your home is the worst, where can you feel safe if you can't in your own home!

By Anita Porter from Beiras on 16 Nov 2022, 10:29

The man sees his home being invaded, fights and defends his property from the robber and during the fight he kills the intruder. Then he is arrested, goes to prison where he will remain far too long and in the end he will likely be condemned to at least indemnify the robber's family and fined to pay the process costs because it may be against the law to protect yourself and your property from robbery! What a country where the criminals are saints and the honest people devils and the ones who pay for the crime! I might be exaggerating or maybe not!

By Tony Fernandes from Other on 16 Nov 2022, 10:52

If that robber came into my house, he'd have a hile in head, not a stab wound. Its ridiculous that a criminal has more rights than a law abiding tax paying home owner. Shame on them.

By José from USA on 16 Nov 2022, 14:06

Unless we've actually been on the receiving end of a burglary, in the heat of the moment, I guess we're all a bit ignorant. Now about a criminal having rights....hmmmm...let me think about this.....If I work hard all my life, and I'm a law abiding citizen, and I pay my taxes, am I guaranteed a roof over my head, three meals a day, and access to healthcare? Nope, I don't think so.
If I decide to live a life of crime and get caught and am thrown in jail....I DO get all those things! (except if my old boss was Ghadaffi) And, at the tax payers expense! How easy is that? It's like robbing people twice!

By William from Other on 16 Nov 2022, 17:31

Please, where is my respectful comment? I sent it yesterday and has not been published!

By Tony Fernandes from Other on 16 Nov 2022, 20:11

If you find a stranger in your house you only have seconds to make a decision of what to do.
We have a saying an Englishmans home is his castle and that should apply here too.
If someone breaks into your home they have to accept all liability for what happens next
This law needs to be settled once and for all in Portugal
It is an outrage that the homeowner should be put under even more stress than would already have been caused

By James from Algarve on 16 Nov 2022, 22:30

as the English saying is :- his home is his castle

By Mick Mouzer from Alentejo on 16 Nov 2022, 23:01

Diogo the US Judicial System let poor Trevon Martin's family down when because he was a black 19 y.o. with a hoodie bringing groceries back to his dad who he was visiting, George Zimmerman shot him on the lawn because he rented in the apartment complex and they let him off with the "Stand Your Ground" law because George said he thought he saw a gun. If this homeowner was arrested for a few hours or overnight for questioning, it was a murder and as long as no one can prove the burglar was a family friend he should immediately go bail free. All renters and homeowners should have the right to defend their lives and property and if this isn't a law in Portugal, bring it up to Ventura (Chega) and I'll bet that guy from what I see will get a law passed. Are people in Pt. allowed to own and register a gun to protect themselves. Getting close enoughto an angry, crazy person that could grab a knife from you is definitely a scary situation no one should have to endure? Get a petition going to change the law; it's barbaric!

By Wes from USA on 17 Nov 2022, 05:47

What is happening in this world when law-abiding citizens can't defend themselves against criminals breaking into their homes and then being penalized for it???

By Lisa from Other on 17 Nov 2022, 13:30

What is happening in this world when a law abiding citizen can't defend themself from a robber trying to rob them in their own home???

By Lisa from Other on 17 Nov 2022, 16:17

As sad as it is, these are the rules in Europe. The law is there mainly to protect the rights of the criminals, not the rights of the victims. There is an endless number of cases like that.

By Tom from Lisbon on 20 Nov 2022, 16:22

Cat amongst the pigeons.
I own a property, I understand feelings of ownership.
But if you live on the streets, anyone can get there in a short space of time - time will change you. Change how you think. Morale ethics weaken as survival takes over. Drugs, debt, prostitution etc - we have created them all. The biggest reason for crime - we've created it - Greed.

Killing for trespass / burglary without jurisdiction, indicates how greedy we are.
No investigation = perfect alibi for murder.
Yes, I will protect myself, but with controlled force. Most burglars, unless you have history with them, are robbing you, they have no intention to kill you.
Catching an intruder in your house is a very scary experience. All would be Terminators should realise that.
Withdraw, call the police.

By Joe from Alentejo on 21 Nov 2022, 07:26

I don't get it. So many people here think thet can form an opinion without knowing the details. As a former assistant prosecutor from the Netherlands, it is obvious that an arrest was necessary. The statement of the homeowner needs to be verified. And depending on the evidence the prosecutor decides to bring the case in front of a judge. Ofcourse the law has rules about self defense. So he might not be prosecuted or a judge will acquit him or he will get punished if something else has happened. Suppose the jabbed person was not a robber but somebody he had an argument with. It is weird to see how many people tend to jump to conclusions while not knowing the details. I have had so many so called victims who appeared later to have started the conflict they were in. That is why we do a proper investigation and if you can even get compensation if the arrest should not have happened.

By Paul Mooij from Algarve on 23 Nov 2022, 17:06