Ersland Attorney Talks About Using Guns In Self Defense

Local attorney Doug Friesen was recently hired by convicted pharmacist Jerome Ersland and took time out on Sunday to talk to gun owners about their rights and why they should have a plan in place in case they ever need to use their weapon to protect themselves.

"If you're involved in a self-defense shooting, the police are going to come," said Friesen.

His client was convicted for killing a young man inside a pharmacy, but Friesen warned anyone could end up in Ersland's position just because of what they say. He has represented everyone from police officers to everyday civilians after a shooting and they all had one thing in common: anyone who used deadly force experienced shock after the incident.

"Your mind always rearranges things," explained Friesen. "It never gets the facts right until your come down from that adrenaline rush, that shock."

He said all too often the person who uses deadly force will make statements too soon after a shooting, before they have had the time to collect their thoughts. Those statements could potentially put someone in danger of self-incrimination.

"They don't know what to do, they don't know what to say."

Friesen believes that was what happened in the Ersland case.

"When he went through his story, first time, the way he told it was that he shot the gentleman and then as he was running out the door, he shot the gentleman on the floor as he was moving again and then went out the door to chase the other gentleman down," Friesen said.

Surveillance video evidence contradicted that statement. Friesen blamed the shock for altering what Ersland remembered shortly after the shooting.

"How many options wouldn't have been available if he hadn't said anything."

It was because of several cases, including Ersland's case, that Friesen decided to start up a new service for all gun owners. He said the key was taking time after an incident to collect your thoughts; and having a lawyer is the best way to do that.

Friesen announced Sunday he was offering his services to all gun owners: $500 will get you five years of representation if you end up using deadly force to protect yourself.