The amazing story of how widowed teen mom Sarah McKinley defended herself and her infant during a home intrusion on New Year’s Eve 2011 swept the internet. Since that time the Blanchard, Oklahoma mother has become an unwanted celebrity and her incredible circumstance has been used by many who support strong gun rights as a prime example in defense of their position.
If you missed the original story, McKinley was having her home broken into by two assailants. She called 911 and asked if it would be okay for her to shoot the criminals if they entered her home. All of this after her husband had passed away on Christmas day from cancer. The dispatcher stated:
“I can’t tell you that you can do that but you do what you have to do to protect your baby.”
As it turns out she certainly did have the right to use deadly force to defend herself and her infant son thanks in part to Oklahoma’s Make My Day law. One of the intruders was 24-year-old Justin Martin whom Sarah shot and killed with a shotgun. She was not charged with any crime.
^Dustin Stewart
Under Oklahoma law the surviving intruder, Dustin Stewart, can be charged with the death of Martin due to his involvement in the crime. Specifically, law permits prosecutors to seek a murder conviction if an accomplice dies during the commission of a felony. On Wednesday, Stewart will face a preliminary hearing in a Grady County courtroom to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to stand trial for murder.
According to Sarah’s mom, the incident has taken a heavy toll emotionally on her daughter. She said:
“The trauma is incredible, what it has done to her is totally changed her. She’s not the same, basically. She’s not fun-loving and carefree.”
The notoriety of her story landed her on the Dr. Phil show where she was given the opportunity to seek free professional counseling. Even though she’s been getting help Sarah is still on guard all the time and will not let her now 7-month-old son out of her sight.
She has moved her mobile home from its previous isolated location and is now surrounded by friends and family. After her story broke support poured in from across the nation. Sarah’s mom added, “All of that made her feel she is not in this alone. She doesn’t know how to say thank you to everyone.”
