Quote:
Originally posted by Downunda:
...If I was to put myself in Newtons shoes I'd be freaked out by someone (that musta looked like he was) breaking in and I would do anything to protect myself, my family and my property.
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Oh I agree with you there - if I was frightened for my safety I wouldn't be thinking rationally about whether I was using excessive force - kill or be killed? Well I'd fight for my life if it came down to it, no question.
But then you wonder, what motivated that use of excessive force? Was it fear, self-preservation, or anger? I would be angry if someone broke into my place, but anger shouldn't (in an ideal world) be the motivation behind this action. Was there a point when Newton realised he wasn't going to be in danger from the kid but carried on beating him anyway? That, IMO, would be wrong. I guess we'll probably never know.