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Florida Man: 'Fighting Is What Redneck People Do'

By Cynthia Hsu, Esq. on November 28, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Many individuals fight against stereotypes most of their lives. But Mark Thomas Wach isn't like most people. He tried to use the stereotypical "redneck" attitude as a defense for his rather questionable behavior on November 20.

The 43-year-old Florida man reportedly shot his lawn mower while drunk, fought with his 18-year-old son, and even drew a gun during the fight.

He was arrested and charged with aggravated domestic assault with a firearm and domestic battery. His defense? That he shoots at things in his yard all the time, and that fighting is what "redneck people do."

He was allegedly confused as to why he was being taken to jail over his actions.

Unsurprisingly, his argument probably won't work in court. If it could, it could open up a whole new line of politically incorrect defenses to crimes.

Sure, maybe it's common practice for Wach to shoot at things in his backyard. Perhaps it's even harmless if all he was doing was firing at random objects.

But it became a whole different story when he decided to turn the gun on his son. Pointing a gun at someone and threatening them can be considered assault because it places the victim in imminent fear of injury. And when Wach started to fight him physically, it turned into a battery - a harmful or offensive contact.

It probably also won't help Mark Thomas Wach's case that he didn't stop brawling with his son even when deputies asked him to. Apparently, the officer had to shock Wach three times with his Taser before he was finally subdued. Perhaps the time he'll spend behind bars will help him understand why his behavior is likely illegal, even if Wach thinks it's de rigueur for "rednecks."

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