The Root; Published By Kalyn Womack
A Chicago mother accused of instructing her son to shoot a man at a food stand, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of her and her son, according to ABC7 News. The two previously faced murder counts until the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office dropped the charges.
While the internet is still reeling about whether Carlishia Hood and her son were justified in the actions that took place June 18, the mother has decided to take justice into her own hands. Hood was seen being punched multiple times in the head by a man while waiting at a food stand. Authorities say Hood instructed her 14-year-old son to bring a firearm. Surveillance videos show the teen firing a shot toward the man and chasing him from the food stand, firing more shots.
Expert Disputes Self-Defense Claim
Illinois’ self-defense laws allow a person to use force to defend not only themselves but other people as well. However, former prosecutor and civil rights attorney Chance D. Lynch says the statute lost validity in this case when the boy continued after the man.
“At that moment, from prosecutorial standpoint, the son was no longer the victim. He became the defendant. The threat to the mother was done.” Lynch said. “I would think that would be enough to charge him – I don’t think first-degree murder but maybe manslaughter. And then to charge the mother with contributing to the delinquency [of a minor] or maybe even accessory because she told him to keep shooting.” Read more
