This father-son duo was facing multiple charges after they were arrested for chopping a teenage burglar's finger who broke into their home with the intention of stealing their car. Their defense attorney told the court that the duo took this drastic action as a defensive action as the teenager was carrying a knife with him.
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William and Shaun Burr are the father-son duo who were facing charges of chopping off a teenage burglar's finger after he broke into their home.
The duo argued self-defense at their trial in the High Court in Hamilton, New Zealand and now the court has announced them to be not guilty.
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They had been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and wounding with intent to injure, maiming with intent to injure, and maiming with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
William Burr was also charged with assaulting a female and assaulting with intent to injure.
However, the court soon dismissed all charges against them and they were seen hugging their family tight as they left the court.
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According to the court documents, two people broke into their home in Piopio, King Country, to steal his car during the early hours of October 1 2020.
The teenager had stolen three other cars from William Burr and the court heard how he had broken his bail conditions to come back with his girlfriend to try and steal a fourth vehicle.
Jurors at the trial were told that after being hit with a wine bottle, William Burr found his gun and marched the pair into the kitchen.
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Shaun Burr then arrived and the duo 'took revenge' on the robber.
Philip Morgan QC said, in his closing statement, said William Burr had "good reason" to believe the intruder was dangerous.
He told the court that the man’s actions were "reasonable given the circumstances".
The jury which consisted of 3 women and 9 men, spent less than an hour coming to the final decision following the six-day trial.
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The jury gave their final verdict in front of a packed public gallery, made up of the Burr family and their supporters.
Prosecutor Rebecca Mann had argued there were plenty of opportunities for the father and son to get themselves away from two intruders.
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She argued with the court that the 17-year-old made no sound when they cut off his finger, she said.
However, Shaun Burr’s lawyer, Simon Lance, said the teen had a knife, and said he wanted to stab the Burrs.
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As the pair go their no sentence and walked out of the court, they were received with warm hugs and tears from their friends and family.
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