Reader comments
Jury: Sapp Brothers shooter is guilty, attorney will appeal

Anonymous | 3:29 p.m. June 26, 2008

He claims this murder was committed out of self-defense and as I see it this should be considered first degree murder and Allen Malcolm should go to prison for the rest of his life.

After all the stories we have read about this man and his previous behavior in this establishment what is there to decide? He has a violent personality and has verbally abused the employees at this truck stop for some time now. It was not an accident or self-defense.

We'll find out soon enough | 4:21 p.m. June 26, 2008

Its rather quick for a jury to come back this soon. No idea what this means but I guess we wont have to wait too long.

Spoc | 5:21 p.m. June 26, 2008

What it means is that there was little doubt in the minds of the jury.

Let's hope the punishment fits the level of mercy he showed to his victim and "for the rest of his life" is on the short end of a needle.

Comments continue below

Jury did Correct thing | 7:40 p.m. June 26, 2008

I have a carry permit. Anyone carrying a gun needs to be especially careful not to provoke a confrontation. Malcom was not careful. He invited this whole situation. The person he shot did not deserve this. Therefore since Malcolm brought this on he deserves to be punished.

The jury did the right thing. I feel sorry for Malcom that he does not know how to behave properly. However he took a life wrongfully.

Robert | 7:54 p.m. June 26, 2008

Like most readers, I do not know all the details of this case. But one thing is sure: if the defendant had not carried a firearm that day, the security guard would still be alive.

Phred | 9:05 p.m. June 26, 2008

I have my doubts, Robert. His type is never satisfied without revenge. They often return with a weapon of some sort, kitchen knife, baseball bat, etc. The type of weapon is insignificant. It wasn't the weapon that was the murderer, it was the personality. And that he always carried with him.

George Vaieland | 10:21 p.m. June 26, 2008

Kudos for this just verdict! You do not bring a gun to a fist fight! Malcom seemed to have no "common sense" and control over this situation. And a young man is dead over Malcom being upset initially over "slow service?" I am a permit holder and it is drilled into you over and over again in training, that carrying a concealed weapon is a great responsibility and you better have your emotions "in check." Evidently Malcom must have missed that portion of the class! Such a sad story!

David Frost | 11:02 p.m. June 26, 2008

To my B-ball Brother, Verne, today was a good day in that the thoughtless scumbag that snuffed out your life all to early was found guilty! Hopefully he'll be locked up for a very long time! I still feel a void in my life as I go play ball 3 times a week and know that you'll never walk through those doors again to run your "smack" and "drain your threes." I miss all the great games and strong competition we engaged in. Whether we were on the same team or not, I always loved being on the hard wood with you...God Bless, R.I.P.

Guns or private property? | 11:26 p.m. June 26, 2008

I could definitely see this leading to a movement where private businesses will require customers to disarm themselves before they enter a private premises. This could be done for the safety of employees or customers (enforcement is another issue, and it's questionable whether Malcolm would have voluntarily disarmed himself). What do the people think? Interesting tension between those who believe in the personal right to bear arms (affirmed today by the Supreme Court, subject to reasonable restrictions by governments) and the rights of private property owners. Typically, advocates on these issues are on the same side of most debates. How will this play out?

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