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• AOR Member Uses Firearm to Act in Self-Defense During Armed Robbery - AOR Client Testimonial

AOR Member Uses Firearm to Act in Self-Defense During Armed Robbery - AOR Client Testimonial

Featuring Attorneys Andrew Marcantel, Marc J. Victor, Rachel Moss, and AOR member Ryan

November 22, 2024

Criminal Defense Attorneys Marc J. Victor, Andy Marcantel, and Rachel Moss sit down with an AOR member (Ryan) who had to act in self-defense. In this client testimonial, Ryan explains what happened in his incident and describes his experience with Attorneys On Retainer and working the Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm.

The Incident

In the early hours of April 17, 2024, a crucial phone call was made to AOR that would impact the course of a member’s life.

Ryan was rear-ended while driving through Oak Cliff, near Dallas, Texas, on his way home. He pulled over to exchange information with the other driver. As Ryan searched for his ID on his phone, the driver pulled out a gun, pressed it against Ryan, and demanded that Ryan hand over his phone and wallet. After giving up his belongings, the aggressor kept the firearm pressed against Ryan’s side. Fearing for his life, Ryan drew his own firearm and fired four shots at the assailant in self-defense. Still in shock, Ryan sought help at a nearby McDonald’s, asking employees to call 911. He then returned to the scene and attempted life-saving measures. As police and paramedics arrived, Ryan called his wife and parents to explain the incident. Ryan’s wife reminded him that he had a self-defense plan with Attorneys On Retainer. Ryan then had his mother contact AOR on his behalf.

How AOR & the Strike Force Team Sprung into Action

Ryan’s mother got in contact with Criminal Defense Attorney Marc J. Victor, the founder and president of the Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm. Marc then alerted the AOR Strike Force, who immediately went into client emergency protocol. Once they located where the incident occurred and the location of the police station Ryan was transported to, they quickly sought local counsel and enlisted Dallas-based Criminal Defense Attorney Clint Broden to assist with Ryan’s case. Criminal Defense Attorneys Andy Marcantel and Rachel Moss then met with Mr. Broden to discuss and strategize the team’s next steps. The team quickly contacted a local investigating firm, AFR Investigations, who deployed a private investigator to the scene. The investigator began to interview McDonald’s employees and other witnesses in the neighborhood. 

Finding the Key Evidence that got Ryan Released from Custody

After interviewing several McDonald’s employees, none of whom saw the incident occur, the investigator discovered that there was one employee who left their shift early that day and was not interviewed by police. The investigator was able to speak to that employee and gather key information that would later be used to support Ryan’s self-defense case. As the sole eyewitness in the case, that employee told the investigator that he saw the aggressor attack Ryan and he believed Ryan acted in self-defense when he discharged his firearm. After consultation with his legal team, Ryan agreed to turn in the dashcam footage taken from his vehicle, which captured the moments of Ryan defending himself from the aggressor. The video footage proved to be an important piece of evidence that allowed Ryan to be released from custody that same day. In addition to the eyewitness and dashcam footage, attorneys Andy Marcantel and Rachel Moss did a background check on the aggressor and found out that he had a criminal history. The evidence showed that the aggressor had been previously investigated for theft and aggravated assault.

All of the information gathered was sent to the prosecutor to prove that Ryan should not be charged for his act of self-defense.  

The Result

Thanks to the quick response of the AOR team and their thorough investigation, Ryan was able to prove his actions were a necessary act of self-defense. This case highlights the importance of having a trusted legal team in place for critical moments, ensuring that members are protected and their rights upheld when facing life-altering situations. The dedication of Attorneys On Retainer and their Strike Force team helped secure the justice Ryan deserved, ultimately allowing him to move forward without charges.