By Brad Fitzpatrick
Ronald Kronon, noticed a man stealing a vehicle from the parking lot of his business. When he confronted the man, the thief attempted to run Kronon over. As the vehicle bore down on Kronon, he pulled his carry weapon and shot the driver, killing him.
When police arrived, they immediately began a homicide investigation. A U.S. LawShield Independent Program Attorney (IPA) with the legal firm Richards Carrington served as Kronon’s lawyer for the case and worked extensively with the district attorney and the lead investigator. As a result of the attorney’s diligent efforts, Kronon did not face criminal charges.
Unfortunately for Kronon, that would not be the last time he would need the legal help. A few years later, Kronon, in an effort to help a guy out, hired a convicted felon. The felon had recently been released from prison and was having difficulty finding steady employment, so Kronon hired the man and allowed his new employee to have his mail sent to the property.
Soon after, however, the relationship between Kronon and his new employee soured, and the business owner was forced to fire the man. Despite making it clear to the former employee he was no longer welcome on the property, the man continued appearing at Kronon’s business, often acting aggressively and even kicking Kronon’s dog.
One day, the former employee showed up at the business, punched Kronon in the face and shoved him against a wall. Kronon felt that he was in imminent danger, drew his carry gun and fired a shot. He struck the man in the leg, putting an end to the attack.
Despite his belief that it was a clear case of self-defense, Kronon was charged with felony assault and additional offenses related to the incident; charges that each carried lengthy prison sentences in Colorado. Kronon’s former attorney was once again assigned to his case.
He provided the prosecutor with a mitigation packet, which is a collection of documents often presented to the prosecutor by the defense to give the prosecutor a fuller understanding of the accused and the relevant details of the case. To prepare the mitigation packet, Kronon’s attorney and the legal team at Richards Carrington compiled numerous reports about the alleged victim’s previous violent behavior.
Their private investigator interviewed the former employee who made inconsistent statements and seemed to agree that Kronon’s actions were in self-defense, and they were able to develop a timeline of the man’s escalating violent behavior toward Kronon, supported by security camera footage from Kronon’s shop. As a result, the district attorney dropped all charges against Kronon.
Following the arrest, Kronon’s concealed carry permit was revoked. The attorneys at Richards Carrington helped Kronon craft a letter to the sheriff to request review of the revocation. Ultimately, his carry permit was reinstated and his criminal record was permanently sealed.
The moral of the story: It’s a good thing to have competent legal help backing you up if you’re ever in a position that you have to use a firearm to defend yourself.
