Reply #42: That one may be questionable

[Maria Celeste]

But it if it goes to trial I would not count on a conviction. There is the reasonable fear thing. Easy bet that at least 1 person out of 12 will identify with the defendant and hang the jury. Most likely the shooter will plea to a lesser charge or may just be bankrupted by defense costs. Also the story came from the media, which I distrust to get any story straight. All that said, killing the homeless or the mentally ill is not the answer, funding treatment and support programs is a step in the right direction.

Having been mugged/assaulted and subsequently having defended myself a few times, I take a pretty hard line about my personal safety. Cops are always after the fact an no one will step while its in progress. In Maryland recently about a guy who intervened when a woman was getting beaten outside a bar and was in turned stomped to death. So much for Good Samaritans. You have to do what you think is necessary to save your life at the time and then sort it out later.