Verdict a victory for rural residents

Hooray for our legal system and a jury that had the courage to deliver a not-guilty verdict in the Gerald Stanley case.

As a rural property owner, I applaud this decision and hope it serves notice to any who feel rural properties are easy pickings for criminals.

It’s unfortunate someone died but Stanley had a home, wife, son and property to protect against intruders regardless of their ethnic background.

In most instances, the time it takes for police to respond to rural crime can be substantial.

Not knowing the state of mind of an intruder or if they are coming with ill intent should allow the rural property owner a significant amount of latitude in the eyes of the law.

Under the same circumstances it would have been me in court.

I am thankful the system didn’t break down under social pressure from those who thought this incident was related to the ethnic background of the deceased.

Justice must be served based on the facts alone. Barry Jackson, Millet