Zombies Are Apparently Not A Sufficient Defense

Surprisingly, it turns out that zombies may not be a sufficient legal defense to committing a crime. At least, it turns out to not apparently be a very good defense to use when accused of auto theft and causing multiple accidents. At least we know this now.

However, this news comes a bit too late for poor Jerimiah Hartline. Apparently, he stole a big rig truck that had been left running at a weigh station after having stowed away inside. Hartline reportedly caused several accidents in his run before tipping the semi over and spilling its load (strawberries). His defense? He was fleeing zombies.

Astoundingly, this defense apparently didn’t work. He has pled guilty to multiple felonies and could receive five years for reportedly assault with a deadly weapon, hit-and-run causing death or injury, and vehicle theft. For some reason, no mention is made in the article regarding whether or not Hartline was intoxicated or crazy. I would have imagined that such would have come up.

Regardless, keep this in mind. I’m guessing the defense of fleeing the undead will not take a significant place in U.S. criminal law anytime soon. In any event, if you were going to try to be the one to change this, you might want to be sure that someone other than you thinks that there are zombies who need to be fled.