The death of a man found in a LaPorte County pond Friday morning is now being treated as a homicide. The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office says the man, whose body was found in water south of Fish Lake, has been identified as Joseph D. Clopton, 47, of Chicago. Police say Clopton had been reported missing on December 19.
LaPorte County detectives met with Chicago Police on Saturday afternoon. A forensic autopsy was performed Monday morning at Franciscan Health Michigan City. Detectives continue to investigate, and the LaPorte County Coroner’s Office and Chicago Police Department are assisting.
According to NRS 200.120, justifiable homicide only occurs when the danger was urgent, the non-aggressor faced death or substantial bodily harm, a reasonable person in the same situation as the non-aggressor would also fear for their life, and the non-aggressor was not acting out of revenge. Just having a “bare fear” of being injured from the aggressor is insufficient evidence to justify a killing. Additionally, Nevada has a “Castle Doctrine” that stating it is justifiable to kill an intruder in an occupied home or vehicle if the intruder is trying to commit a felony and posing a threat.
