I would, as a jurist, make a finding of self defense. Based on the video.
Just shows the variety of answers one can expect.
When a man with a gun approaches you and threatens great bodily harm or death it defies common sense to wait until he starts to beat or kill you to defend yourself.
I neither agree, nor disagree with anyone's comments up to this point. Everyone has, and is entitled to, their own opinion. However, I have to ask myself, if the aggressive gentleman had NOT been a uniformed police officer, and simply been a larger, aggressive man, with an openly carried firearm, would any of your opinions change?
"Fighting words" are just that -- words. Until and unless there was a physical attack or a drawn firearm, and I was completely blameless in instigating that attack (which I posit Onus was NOT), and depending on your location where one may have the duty to retreat ... deadly force is not justified.
I neither agree, nor disagree with anyone's comments up to this point. Everyone has, and is entitled to, their own opinion. However, I have to ask myself, if the aggressive gentleman had NOT been a uniformed police officer, and simply been a larger, aggressive man, with an openly carried firearm, would any of your opinions change?
Exactly. +1
I would give no deference to the fact he was a LEO in a jury room.
You're ignoring the fact that there would be no trial. Shoot a cop and the only call would be to the coroner to pick up your remains. Get real, keyboard commando.
When a man with a gun approaches you and threatens great bodily harm or death it defies common sense to wait until he starts to beat or kill you to defend yourself.
Me too. Are folks supposed to wait for a guy to actually punch us in the face to defend ourselves? Or are people balking because a costumed state agent made the threat?
"Fighting words" are just that -- words. Until and unless there was a physical attack or a drawn firearm, and I was completely blameless in instigating that attack (which I posit Onus was NOT), and depending on your location where one may have the duty to retreat ... deadly force is not justified.
SNIP
If a cop says he is going to kill him and he has the immediate means to do so; I would take him at his word that this is exactly what will occur w/o any intervention. Because I'm a trusting individual.
SNIP