(Bret Stieghorst was just trying to watch some loud porn)

(James Van Iveren was just trying to stop a rape)

OCONOMOWOC, WI -  Bret Stieghorst was watching an adult movie with the volume up loud. His downstairs neighbor, James Van Iveren, heard a woman screaming in the movie, but thought a woman was actually being attacked. Instead of calling police, he took matters into his own hands, ran up the stairs and broke down the door, all while brandishing a three-foot long military-style sword.  When Van Iveren did not find anyone else in the apartment, he left.  Van Iveren was charged with criminal trespass while using a dangerous weapon, criminal damage to property while using a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct while using a dangerous weapon, misdemeanors which carry a maximum total penalty of 33 months in jail.  Van Iveren said that he does not have a telephone, so he could not call police when he heard the calls for help.  Stieghorst said the incident will not deter him from watching pornography, but he'll have to alter his viewing habits.  "I'm just going to watch it with the sound down, or I'll buy myself some decent headphones," he said.

Ah, it’s a story as old as time itself.  Man watching porn loudly in 2nd floor apartment.  Downstairs neighbor mistakenly thinks a chick is getting raped and breaks into the apartment wielding a 3 foot sword.   I mean how many times have we seen this elegant dance played out before?   But I must admit I’m a little confused on why the sword guy got arrested here?   It had to be because the police just assumed that anybody who didn’t have a telephone is a danger to society right?   Because I don’t see anything wrong with trying to save somebody if you think they are in trouble.   And as far as the victim goes I say kudos.    It will take a little more than a sword wielding neighbor to deter him from his pornography.