Ah, Pride...

[wolf]

Originally posted by tw
A very large, drunk, aggressive man corners me in a booth in Denny's. A man about 100 pounds bigger and one full foot taller. He then threatens me, spits in my face, and then punch me in the nose. I grab the butter knife to defend myself. He dies in the ensuing melee. I am then accused of murder? Yes, according to the law. I used a deadly instrument. Murder is murder.

You have killed him, but did not murder him.

He was the agressor. You acted in defense of your life. You had, at that time, the reasonable expectation of and fear of death if you don't do something to stop his attack.

The second he breaks off his attack, though, everything changes.

Now ... you WOULD have murdered him if ... after punching you in the nose he is satisfied with the amount of blood pouring out of your face and he ends his assault. He goes back to his table and enjoys the remainder of his chicken fried steak and eggs with his cronies.

You, on the other hand, are no longer enjoying your Grand Slam breakfast. In fact, you are so incensed by his behavior that you decide that something must be done about it.

Instead of calling the local constabulary, you decide to deal with the problem yourself.

You go out to the parking lot, and find a spot with a good view of the door. When he emerges from the restaurant you shoot him with a crossbow bolt as he turns to talk to one of his buds, which passes through his ears. In his last instants of life, he is reminded of Steve Martin, back when he was funny.

NOW you have murdered him. You are no longer acting in defense of your life.