Home invasion
{{Short description|Type of burglary}}
{{Other uses|Home Invasion (disambiguation)}}
{{Criminal law}}
A home invasion, also called a hot prowl burglary, is a sub-type of burglary (or in some jurisdictions, a separately defined crime) in which an offender unlawfully enters into a building residence while the occupants are inside.{{Cite web|url=https://police.escondido.org/what-is-a-hot-prowl.aspx|title=What Is A Hot Prowl - Escondido Police Department|website=police.escondido.org|access-date=2019-06-21}} The overarching intent of a hot prowl burglary can be theft, robbery, assault, sexual assault, murder, kidnapping, or another crime, either by stealth or direct force.Byron, Reginald; Molidor, William; Cantu, Andrew (2018). "US Newspapers' Portrayals of Home Invasion Crime". The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice. 57(2): 250-277. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/hojo.12257K. David Benton, Stop The Intruder: A Guide to Home Security (Atlanta: Gold Seal Productions, 2012), 46-47.{{cite web|url=http://definitions.uslegal.com/h/home-invasion |title=Home Invasion Law & Legal Definition |publisher=Definitions.uslegal.com |access-date=November 20, 2011}} Hot prowl burglaries are considered especially dangerous by law enforcement because of the potential for a violent confrontation between the occupant and the offender.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.signalscv.com/archives/103934/|title=UPDATE: Reserve officer shoots at hot prowl burglar in Canyon Country home|website=archive.signalscv.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-21|archive-date=2019-06-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621001105/http://archive.signalscv.com/archives/103934/|url-status=dead}}
Historiography
The first published use of the term "home invasion" recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary is an article in The Washington Post on 1 February 1912,OED, 4th ed 2004: 1912 Washington Post 1 Feb. 4/3 (heading) Child Bureau wins. Senate passes bill after prohibiting home invasion. with an article in the Los Angeles Times on 18 March 1925 clearly indicating the modern meaning.OED, 4th ed 2004: 1925 Los Angeles Times 18 Mar. ii. 11/1 (heading) Trio hunted in home invasion. Woman reports attack on twin daughters.
"Home-invasion robberies" were highlighted in June 1995, when the term appeared in the cover story of The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin in an article written by Police Chief James T. Hurley{{cite web|url=http://www.fbfl.us/index.aspx?NID=153 |title=Fernandina Beach, FL – Official Website – Home Invasion |publisher=Fbfl.us |access-date=November 20, 2011}} of the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, area, later republished on bNet, the online blog posted by Harvard Business School. Hurley posited that, at the time, the crime could be considered an alternative to bank or convenience store robberies, which were becoming more difficult to carry out due to technological advances in security. In the same article, Hurley recommended educating the public about home invasion.{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2194/is_n6_v64/ai_17312586/?tag=mantle_skin;content |title=Violent crime hits home: home invasion robbery | FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, The | Find Articles at BNET |publisher=Findarticles.com |access-date=November 20, 2011 |year=1995}} Before the term "home invasion" came into use, the term "hot burglary" was often used in the literature. Early references also use "burglary of occupied homes"{{cite journal |first=Lawrence Jr. |last=Southwick |title=Guns and Justifiable Homicide: Deterrence and Defense |volume=18 |journal=St. Louis U Pub Law Rev |pages=217 [p. 227] |year=1999 }} and "burglar striking an occupied residence."{{cite book |first1=James |last1=Wright |first2=Peter |last2=Rossi |first3=Kathleen |last3=Daly |title=Under the Gun |location=New York |publisher=Aldine |year=1983 |page=[https://archive.org/details/undergun00jame/page/15 15] |isbn=978-0-202-30305-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/undergun00jame/page/15 }}
In 2008 Connecticut Congressman Chris Murphy proposed making home invasion a federal crime in the United States.{{cite news |title= Chris Murphy |url=http://projects.wsj.com/campaign2012/candidates/view/chris-murphy--CT-S |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=May 15, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.chrismurphy.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=55 |title=Chris Murphy - Murphy Announces Federal Legislative Package to Address Home Invasion Crimes, Parole and Probation |access-date=2011-06-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326104354/http://www.chrismurphy.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=55 |archive-date=March 26, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}
Definition
=Under US law=
In some jurisdictions, there is a defined crime of home invasion; in others, there is no crime defined as home invasion, but events that accompany the invasion are charged as crimes. Where home invasion is defined, the definition and punishments vary by jurisdiction.{{cite web|url=http://www.homeinvasionnews.com/?p=891 |title=A Review of State Home Invasion Laws in the U.S. |publisher=Home Invasion News |date=July 26, 2011 |access-date=November 20, 2011}} It is not a legally defined federal offense throughout the United States, but is in several states, such as Georgia,{{Cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2014/title-16/chapter-7/article-1a/section-16-7-5|title=2014 Georgia Code :: Title 16 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES :: Chapter 7 - DAMAGE TO AND INTRUSION UPON PROPERTY :: Article 1A - CRIME OF HOME INVASION :: § 16-7-5 - Home invasion in the first and second degree|website=Justia Law}} Michigan,{{cite web|title=Michigan Home Invasion Legislature |url=http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28jbhqhn45x0k1se45n0wdzz55%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-750-110a |year=1931 |access-date=December 11, 2010}} Connecticut,{{cite web|url=http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/New-CT-home-invasion-law-effective-Tuesday/1214766811.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906181722/http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/New-CT-home-invasion-law-effective-Tuesday/1214766811.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |title=New CT home invasion law effective Tuesday |publisher=Necn.com |date=June 29, 2008 |access-date=November 20, 2011 }} Illinois,{{cite web|title=720 ILCS 5/19-6, Home Invasion|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072000050K19-6|website=Illinois Compiled Statutes|publisher=Illinois General Assembly|access-date=3 July 2017}} Florida,{{cite web|url=http://law.onecle.com/florida/crimes/812.135.html |title=Florida Laws: FL Statutes – Title XLVI Crimes Section 812.005 Short title. – Florida Attorney Resources – Florida Laws |publisher=Law.onecle.com |date=March 26, 2010 |access-date=November 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201112624/http://law.onecle.com/florida/crimes/812.135.html |archive-date=December 1, 2011 }} Texas,{{cite web|url=https://www.ktsm.com/news/texas-self-defense-law-during-home-invasion/amp/ |title=Texas self defense law during home invasion|date=March 2024 }} Louisiana,{{cite web|url=http://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/2009/rs/title14/rs14-62.8.html |title=RS 14:62.8 Home invasion :: TITLE 14 Criminal law :: Revised Statutes :: 2009 Louisiana Code :: Louisiana Code :: US Codes and Statutes :: US Law :: Justia |publisher=Law.justia.com |access-date=November 20, 2011}} and Nevada.{{cite web|title=NRS 205.067 Invasion of the home: Definition; penalties; venue.|url=https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-205.html#NRS205Sec067|website=Nevada Revised Statutes|publisher=Nevada Legislature|access-date=3 July 2017}} Home invasion laws also have been introduced in the South Carolina{{cite web|url=http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/148.htm |title=2011–2012 Bill 148: Home Invasion Protection Act – South Carolina Legislature Online |publisher=Scstatehouse.gov |access-date=November 20, 2011}} General Assembly and in the State of Maryland.{{cite web|url=http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/billfile/hb0790.htm |title=BILL INFO-2011 Regular Session-HB 790 |publisher=Mlis.state.md.us |date=September 19, 2011 |access-date=November 20, 2011}} On March 15, 2011, a bill making home invasion deaths a capital crime in New Hampshire{{cite web|agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view/20110315nh_bill_makes_home_invasion_deaths_capital_crime/srvc=home&position=recent |title=NH bill makes home invasion deaths capital crime | work=Boston Herald |publisher=BostonHerald.com |date=March 15, 2011 |access-date=November 20, 2011}} passed the New Hampshire House without debate.
Many U.S. states (particularly those that endorse the castle doctrine) include defending oneself against forcible entry of one's home as part of their definition of justifiable homicide without any obligation to retreat.K. David Benton, Stop the Intruder: A Guide to Home Security (Atlanta: Gold Seal Productions, 2012), 81–82.
=Other jurisdictions=
Home invasion as such is not defined as a crime in most countries other than the US,{{cite web|title=What is Home Invasion (definition in Australia) |url=http://www.ocsar.sa.gov.au/docs/information_bulletins/IB11.pdf |date=c. 2000 |access-date=December 11, 2010}} with offenders being charged according to the actual crimes committed once inside the building, such as armed robbery, rape or murder.
In English law, offenders who commit burglary while carrying a weapon can be convicted of the offence of aggravated burglary even if the weapon is not actually brandished or used.
In Canada, section 348 of the Criminal Code provides that home invasion can be considered an aggravating circumstance in cases of
- Breaking and entering to steal firearm
- forcible confinement
- robbery
- break-and-enter with intent
- extortion
Notable examples
File:Sean Taylor.jpg, a University of Miami and Washington Redskins football player, was fatally injured during an invasion of his home in November 2007]]
The Lindbergh Kidnapping – In 1932, one-year-old Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Jr. was kidnapped from his family's home in East Amwell, New Jersey and later murdered. The offender perpetrated the crime by using a ladder to enter a second floor bedroom of the Lindbergh residence while the family was asleep.
The Chauffeurs de la Drôme (The Heaters of Drôme) were a gang of four men who carried out a series of attacks on remote dwellings in the Department of Drôme in south-west France between 1905 and 1908. They became notorious for roasting the feet of householders against the fireplace, to torture them into revealing the hiding places of valuables.{{cite web | url=http://www.romanshistorique.fr/romans-sur-isere-la-maison-des-chauffeurs-de-la-drome-rue-pecherie | title=La maison des Chauffeurs de la Drôme, rue Pêcherie | publisher=Romans Historique | language=fr | date=26 May 2010 | access-date=15 August 2016}} Responsible for as many as 18 murders,{{cite book|author=Malcolm Anderson|title=In Thrall to Political Change: Police and Gendarmerie in France|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CYqKByxmueEC&pg=PA53|date=25 August 2011|publisher=OUP Oxford|isbn=978-0-19-969364-1|pages=53}} three of the gang were executed on September 22, 1909. The fourth died on the penal colony on Devil's Island.{{cite web | url=https://histoiresdebourreaux.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/22-septembre-1909-lexecution-des.html | title=Histoires de bourreaux | language=fr | date=22 September 2009 | access-date=15 August 2016}}
One well-known home invasion is the November 15, 1959, quadruple murder of the Clutter family by Richard "Dick" Hickock and Perry Edward Smith during a home-invasion robbery in rural Holcomb, Kansas. The murders were detailed in Truman Capote's "nonfiction novel" In Cold Blood. However, the perpetrators were convicted of murder, not home invasion.[http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/family/clutter/4.html Crime library article on Clutter family murders] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403063659/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/family/clutter/4.html |date=April 3, 2014 }}
The BTK Killer – Between 1974 and 1991, a series of sexual assaults and murders was carried out in the Wichita, Kansas area. In most of the attacks, the offender broke into or forced his way into a residence, then killed one or more people.
Joseph James DeAngelo – A serial killer and rapist who was active in California in the 1970s and 1980s, who is known to have murdered thirteen people between 1975 and 1986.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/DNA-Links-70s-East-Area-Rapist-to-Serial-2935342.php|title=DNA Links '70s 'East Area Rapist' to Serial Killings / Evidence suggests suspect moved to Southern California|last1=Hallissy|first1=Erin|last2=Goodyear|first2=Charlie|date=2001-04-04|website=SFGate|access-date=2019-06-21|last3=Writers|first3=Chronicle Staff}} His modus operandi was to break into the homes of his victims in the middle of the night and attack them as they slept.
The Night Stalker – A series of home invasion murders, rapes, and robberies plagued the Los Angeles, California area in the mid-1980s. In all, twelve murders were committed in southern California as part of this series.Cold Case Files, "The Original Nightstalker" – (Episode #46), A&E Network, most recent broadcast 20 March 2009{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Convict-focus-of-night-stalker-probe-2847466.php|title=Convict focus of 'night stalker' probe|last=Lee|first=Henry K.|date=2002-04-24|website=SFGate|access-date=2019-06-21}}
Mr Cruel – An Australian paedophilic serial rapist who entered houses and attacked three girls in the northern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria in the late 1980s and early 1990s.{{Cite web|url=https://casefilepodcast.com/case-41-mr-cruel/|title=Case 41: Mr Cruel|date=2017-01-07|website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-21}}
Wichita Massacre – brothers Jonathan and Reginald Carr entered a house in December 2000, robbed the five residents, forced them into sex with each other and the attackers and then drove them to a snowy soccer field to be shot execution-style. One woman survived and testified against them in court, where they were given the death penalty.{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Lawrence |title=U.S. Supreme Court rules against 'Wichita Massacre' brothers |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-deathpenalty/u-s-supreme-court-rules-against-wichita-massacre-brothers-idUKKCN0UY1WO |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208082146/https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-deathpenalty/u-s-supreme-court-rules-against-wichita-massacre-brothers-idUKKCN0UY1WO |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |access-date=November 29, 2020 |publisher=Reuters |date=January 20, 2016}}
Two paroled criminals were each charged with three counts of capital murder during a home invasion into the Petit family home in Cheshire, Connecticut, on July 23, 2007. During the invasion, the mother died of asphyxiation due to strangulation and the two daughters died of smoke inhalation after the suspects set the house on fire. The men were charged with first-degree sexual assault, murder of a kidnapped person, and murder of two or more people at the same time. The state attorney sought the death penalty against the suspects.{{cite web |url=http://www.wfsb.com/cheshirecase/13762474/detail.html |title=Prosecutor to Seek Death Penalty Against Cheshire Suspects - Cheshire Home Invasion News Story - WFSB Hartford |access-date=2008-04-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808182554/http://www.wfsb.com/cheshirecase/13762474/detail.html |archive-date=August 8, 2009 |df=mdy-all }} The first defendant, Steven Hayes, was found guilty of 16 of 17 counts including capital murder on October 5, 2010, and on November 8, 2010, was sentenced to death. His co-defendant, Joshua Komisarjevsky, was convicted of all 17 counts against him in October 2011, and was also sentenced to death. Both men later had their sentences commuted to life without parole when Connecticut abolished the death penalty in 2015.
Another home invasion occurred on November 26, 2007, when Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor was murdered during an overnight home invasion of his suburban Miami home. Five men were convicted of the crime and given sentences ranging from 18 years to life imprisonment.{{cite news|title=SEAN TAYLOR MURDER: Men arrested held without bond |url=http://www.winknews.com/news/local/11995026.html |publisher=WINK News |date=December 1, 2007 |access-date=April 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201190807/http://www.winknews.com/news/local/11995026.html |archive-date=February 1, 2008 }}
In December 2015, a man gained entry to a house in the Swiss town of Rupperswil. After forcing the mother to get him money, he raped her 13-year-old son and then murdered them and another son and his girlfriend, before setting the house ablaze.{{cite news |title=Anklage im Fall Rupperswil steht – diese grausamen Taten werden Thomas N. vorgeworfen |url=https://www.watson.ch/schweiz/justiz/416847747-anklage-im-fall-rupperswil-steht-diese-grausamen-taten-werden-thomas-n-vorgeworfen |access-date=10 November 2023 |work=Watson |date=7 September 2017 |language=de}} The man was convicted in 2018 of murder and other crimes and sentenced to life in prison.{{cite news |title=Lebenslang nach Vierfach-Mord von Rupperswil |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/schweiz-lebenslang-nach-vierfach-mord-von-rupperswil-1.3908668 |access-date=10 November 2023 |work=Süddeutsche Zeitung |date=16 March 2018 |language=de}}
Three men in Louisville, Kentucky were charged for the April 20, 2017 home invasion at Mallard Crossing of record producer Jonathan Hay and his teenage daughter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/jonathan-hay-daughter-iliana-eve-duct-taped-home-invasion-article-1.3135047|title=Jonathan Hay, record producer, and musician daughter Iliana Eve held at gunpoint in home invasion|date=May 3, 2017|website=New York Daily News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/louisville-producer-pens-pain-after-violent-home-invasion/417-493436637|title=Louisville producer pens pain after violent home invasion|website=whas11.com|date=20 November 2017 }}
Four people have been charged in the home invasion of Pop Smoke, who was murdered during the robbery in Hollywood Hills on February 19, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/celebrity/rapper-pop-smoke-fatally-shot-hollywood-hills-home-invasion-n1138536|title=Rapper Pop Smoke fatally shot in Hollywood Hills home invasion|date=February 19, 2020|website=NBC News}}{{Cite web|url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/4-charged-with-murder-in-hollywood-hills-home-invasion-killing-of-rapper-pop-smoke/|title=4 charged with murder in Hollywood Hills home-invasion killing of rapper Pop Smoke|work=KTLA |date=July 13, 2020}}
See also
References
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