Occupational Hazard

I got into the real estate business to help people. I got into the business with idea that I would be helping people achieve home ownership, and the worst threat I would face was maybe a lawsuit if I made a mistake or something. I had thought that only people in law enforcement or the military had to worry about actual risk to life and limb.

Well I was wrong about the no risk to life or limb part. You see, as a Realtor I often have to meet with the general public, complete strangers. And some of those strangers can potentially be convicted felons and psychos for all I know. We Realtors always have to think safety when we're doing an open house or showing properties.

Below is a link to yet another story that has come out about a fellow Realtor who almost kidnapped and robbed at gun point, but luckily was able to escape before any harm cam to her. Unfortunately, not all Realtors have been so lucky.

Agent Escapes Kidnapping at Gunpoint

Related:

56 Safety Tips for REALTORS®

Suspect Escapes Death Penalty in Agent Murder

Last September, the real estate community lost one of its own, Beverly Carter. She was showing a foreclosed home when this piece of garbage, pictured below, abducted and murdered her allegedly. We at the request of the family he will not be facing the death penalty and instead will likely spend life in prison working out, watching tv, socializing with other inmates, all on the tax payer's dime. Oh well.

Suspect Escapes Death Penalty in Agent Murder

The man accused of kidnapping and murdering an Arkansas real estate agent will not face the death penalty, due to a request from the victim’s family, prosecutors told a circuit judge. The suspect Arron Michael Lewis also told the court last week that he plans to represent himself at trial, which is set for July.

Lewis and his wife, Crystal Hope Lowery were arrested on charges related to the abduction and killing of real estate agent Beverly Carter. Carter vanished while showing a foreclosed home to a prospective buyer in September. Five days later, in a nationwide search, her body was found bound with duct tape buried behind a concrete plant where Lewis was employed.

Police have released few details on why they believe Lewis and Lowery are connected to the killing. Lowery was arrested one month after Lewis. Carter's cell phone was reportedly found in the couple's home, and police have said that Carter's phone had called Lowery's phone for about 16 minutes the night Carter had been murdered, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.

Lowery will face trial separate from Lewis. Her trial has yet to be set.

Lewis, appearing in court last week, told the Pulaski County Circuit judge that "I want to terminate my lawyer" and that he wished to represent himself in the capital-murder trial. The judge questioned Lewis, who will await trial in prison, on how he would be able to adequately prepare his defense. But Lewis remained adamant that he intends to defend himself. He also claimed to have evidence to exonerate Lowery.

Since his arrest, Lewis has sued the Pulaski County sheriff’s office, accusing them of beating and mishandling him as they tried to get him to cooperate in Carter’s disappearance case. Lewis also claims police refused to allow him to speak with a lawyer following his arrest and denied him medical treatment.



Source: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2015/03/09/suspect-escapes-death-penalty-in-agent-murder?om_rid=AAFmZk&om_mid=_BU-dicB8-0L$oV&om_ntype=RMODaily