Horn Cleared in Shooting Two Robbers May Face New Charges

Joe Horn is not speaking in front of the camera these days, but he is speaking.

“When is enough, enough?” asks Horn, during a recent phone call with reporter Rucks Russell, who has had several conversations with the Pasadena grandfather since Monday.

Last week, a Harris County grand jury cleared Horn of all criminal charges relating to the shooting death of two men he suspected of burglarizing a neighbor’s home. The incident occurred in November 2007 and during Horn’s dramatic 911 call to the Pasadena police, the dispatcher heard the distinct sound of the cocking of a shotgun and repeated shots being fired.
According to Horn’s attorney, Tom Lambright, the last thing Horn wanted was to get into a violent confrontation with the men. He said Horn certainly didn’t plan on killing anyone. Since that day, Horn’s life has changed and he still feels awful about the shooting.

"I can't go anywhere without having to re-live this... without wondering if someone's looking at me thinking something awful," said Horn.

During the several phone conversations with Rucks, Horn went on to express how the whole ordeal has affected everyone around him.

“This has been so hard, so terribly hard on my family,” said Horn. "I've never been through anything like this. It's the most painful time of my life."

During the interview with 11 news, Horn's voice cracked with emotion at times, especially when he talked about the anonymous letters of support he’s received.

“How do you say thank you to all these people? I’m not articulate enough to find the words,” said Horn.

But not everyone supports the jury’s decision and Horn's freedom. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has called for a congressional inquiry into the grand jury process. Jackson Lee isn't the only one upset. The incident last year spawned angry protests, which have grown louder since a grand jury's decision. And according to police, Horn also received numerous death threats.

"In the final analysis, I didn't do anything wrong. Is there no end to this? When is enough, enough?" said Horn when asked for his reaction. "I did not come out here with the intent to shoot anybody, but I was not going to come to this situation without my gun."

Horn explained himself to police, a grand jury and even a national audience on TV. Now what he wants most of all is a chance to just be normal again.

"I'd trade places with you in a heart beat, Rucks. You walk in my shoes just for a day, and I'll gladly walk in yours," said Horn.