If one thinks oneself to be justified, or to be so over- wrought as to diminish accountability, then make the arguments. If the jury and/or judge doesn't buy it, make an appeal for gubernatorial clemency. I mean, there are avenues if you think that you should not be held to account. But most people claim justification, because they had motive, and want to get away with it. Protestations like that, per se, mean nothing.
The article you adduce is very interesting. Of course, it is mainly a failure of law enforcement, and, additionally, if one shot such a person when in imminent danger, one would be in the right. The fact is, plenty of people make threats, and even worse, and do not follow through on murder. If we allowed people to shoot those who had frightened them, who know where it would end? And, if the conditions necessary to justify the use of deadly force are too restrictive, then perhaps one should loosen them up, not overturn the whole criminal justice system...... |
