Now I'm wondering if "I thought he had a gun" has ever been an unsuccessful defense. I haven't done the research, but it seems to me that it works every time.
plenty of times for people who aren't cops. it wouldn't matter if it was in the middle of american idol, that defense would still work. a conviction would set a precedent of accountability that is restrictive to the fine work the US justice system does.
In any place where a person “has a right to be,” that person has “no duty to retreat” if attacked and may “meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.”
however, you still cannot shoot a police officer, even if they are the attacker.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-25 04:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-25 04:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-25 04:55 pm (UTC)In any place where a person “has a right to be,” that person has “no duty to retreat” if attacked and may “meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.”
however, you still cannot shoot a police officer, even if they are the attacker.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-25 05:51 pm (UTC)the military