About a year ago my drivers door stopped latching properly, since then the amount of damage the door has taken propted me to fix it. Rather than buy a new door striker to replace one little plastic piece I decided to make a new piece, out of steel.

In the process of checking for fit the door latched half-way, it is stuck in the halfway position and I cannot get it open or closed. Shy of torching the door off I would like to get it open without destrying the door. Any suggestion?