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9:58 a.m. • 2-11-12

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Break-in suspect died of 'positional asphyxiation'


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Robert Lee Hubbard
Robert Lee Hubbard

The state medical examiner has determined that a Linden man who died early Saturday morning after breaking into a shed died of “positional asphyxiation.”

Robert Lee Hubbard, 23, of the 8200 block of Carlos Drive, broke in to a shed being used as a temporary house at the 9400 block of Hillsboro Street, authorities said.

Michael Crosby, 51, and his brother, Joseph Crosby, 55, were using the shed as a temporary residence while Michael Crosby's house was under construction.

The brothers told Cumberland County sheriff’s deputies that Hubbard forced his way into the shed and attacked them with what appeared to be a tire iron.

The brothers subdued Hubbard until authorities arrived. Hubbard died before authorities got to the scene, officials said.

An ambulance took Michael Crosby to a local hospital for treatment. He received several sutures to his head and was later released.

RELATED TOPICS: Cumberland County, Linden

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102 Comments


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Latest Comments
"Don't make me laugh. That's my whole point. This guy had no qualified judge or court appearance, and he had no attorney.

I'm not saying he was in the right, because he wasn't; but the two guys who subdued him weren't either."

You must be shrooming.

Trials come later, after someone is arrested and detained. NOT at the scene of the crime, while it is being committed! The right to a fair trial is not the concern of the victim of an attack! You are living on some other world. And, I might add, you have lost all moral authority, REVERAND, by equating the rights of the attacker with those of the attacked. How very blind of you.

When you cross a person's threshold in the middle of the night swinging a tire iron don't expect public sympathy. Had he beaten the two brothers, who were senior citizens, it would have been just a "thats too bad scenario". In this case they defended themselves and the criminal paid the price and I doubt that the community has lost a thing with his demise. I would even suspect that his demise will improve the quality of life in that community. Hats off to the two brothers for fighting back against a much younger and stronger adversary. I am too old to fight so I would just have to shoot the buzzard.

"...Sounds like homicide to me. Wonder what will go forward on this.

Praying for both families.

God bless.

Rev. RB Click to view my profile Rev. RB GOLO member since July 2, 2007 August 25, 2008 10:21 a.m"

"...How do YOU know that? Were you there???

It sounds to me like someone held this man the wrong way. Whether intentionally or not is something for a jury to decide after hearing all the facts. It's not open for debate by those who have not because that's not the way our justice system works.

God bless.

Rev. RB Click to view my profile Rev. RB GOLO member since July 2, 2007 August 25, 2008 10:23 a.m."

Somewhat contradictory there, 1st you're sure that it was homicide but then, 2 minutes (or less) later, we should let the jury decide after hearing all the facts.

I point this out not to criticize Rev RB, but just to make a larger point for all of the commenters - PLEASE read all of not only the story, but all of the previous comments as well before clicking the send button

rev, apparently that attorney did not teach you that it is break OR enter, not break and enter!

I don't see how the brothers can be charged with anything. Didn't one get wounded? Sounds like a self-defence argument to me!

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