• do self-defense laws require that minimal force be used to neutralize t

    From S K@21:1/5 to All on Mon Nov 29 14:08:23 2021
    In particular if the threat can be defused without killing the potential assailant - does any jurisdiction require that non-lethal means be used if possible?

    In the Kyle rittenhouse case, Wisconsin laws seem to allow the use of hand grenades by him to neutralize his attackers.

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  • From Rick@21:1/5 to All on Mon Nov 29 20:07:29 2021
    "S K" wrote in message news:ea7a2928-3a9e-4de4-befc-b8693070b668n@googlegroups.com...

    In particular if the threat can be defused without killing the potential >assailant - does any jurisdiction require that non-lethal means be used if >possible?

    In the Kyle rittenhouse case, Wisconsin laws seem to allow the use of hand >grenades by him to neutralize his attackers.

    Well common sense would say you have to use what you have. If my life is placed in jeopardy and I have a weapon in my hand, I am probably going to
    use that weapon to try to save myself. In that situation, emotions and adrenaline are running high and it just may not be possible to calibrate the response to make it non-lethal. Ultimately the jury has to decide if the defendant's response given the exact circumstances is reasonable

    --

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  • From Barry Gold@21:1/5 to S K on Mon Nov 29 20:08:28 2021
    On 11/29/2021 2:08 PM, S K wrote:
    In particular if the threat can be defused without killing the potential assailant - does any jurisdiction require that non-lethal means be used if possible?

    In the Kyle rittenhouse case, Wisconsin laws seem to allow the use of hand grenades by him to neutralize his attackers.

    If you use a weapon that is illegal to possess, you can still be charged
    with (1) possession and (2) using a dangerous weapon.

    But AFAIK using an illegal weapon does not change self-defense into
    murder. But being armed with one might make it harder to convince a jury
    that you were only defending yourself.

    --
    I do so have a memory. It's backed up on DVD... somewhere...

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  • From Stuart O. Bronstein@21:1/5 to Barry Gold on Tue Nov 30 03:54:05 2021
    Barry Gold <bgold@labcats.org> wrote:
    S K wrote:

    In particular if the threat can be defused without killing the
    potential assailant - does any jurisdiction require that
    non-lethal means be used if possible?

    In the Kyle rittenhouse case, Wisconsin laws seem to allow the
    use of hand grenades by him to neutralize his attackers.

    The general rule is that you can't use more force than is necessary
    under the circumstances, and retreat if necessary. Some states have
    "stand your ground" laws allowing you to use deadly force even if you
    can retreat but don't.

    If you use a weapon that is illegal to possess, you can still be
    charged with (1) possession and (2) using a dangerous weapon.

    But AFAIK using an illegal weapon does not change self-defense
    into murder. But being armed with one might make it harder to
    convince a jury that you were only defending yourself.

    I have heard of at least one case where a person was sent to prison
    for many years after defending herself with a concealed gun that
    didn't have a permit. I don't remember what crime she was convicted
    of, but the length of the prison term was consistent with some forms
    of murder.

    --
    Stu
    http://DownToEarthLawyer.com

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  • From Rick@21:1/5 to Barry Gold on Tue Nov 30 13:11:06 2021
    "Barry Gold" wrote in message news:so3t33$l10$1@dont-email.me...

    On 11/29/2021 2:08 PM, S K wrote:
    In particular if the threat can be defused without killing the potential
    assailant - does any jurisdiction require that non-lethal means be used
    if possible?

    In the Kyle rittenhouse case, Wisconsin laws seem to allow the use of
    hand grenades by him to neutralize his attackers.

    If you use a weapon that is illegal to possess, you can still be charged
    with (1) possession and (2) using a dangerous weapon.

    But AFAIK using an illegal weapon does not change self-defense into murder. >But being armed with one might make it harder to convince a jury that you >were only defending yourself.


    But the weapons charge was dropped in the Rittenhouse case, no?

    --

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  • From Roy@21:1/5 to Rick on Tue Nov 30 13:23:44 2021
    On 11/30/2021 2:11 PM, Rick wrote:
    "Barry Gold"  wrote in message news:so3t33$l10$1@dont-email.me...

    On 11/29/2021 2:08 PM, S K wrote:
    In particular if the threat can be defused without killing the
    potential assailant - does any jurisdiction require that non-lethal
    means be used if possible?

    In the Kyle rittenhouse case, Wisconsin laws seem to allow the use of
    hand grenades by him to neutralize his attackers.

    If you use a weapon that is illegal to possess, you can still be
    charged with (1) possession and (2) using a dangerous weapon.

    But AFAIK using an illegal weapon does not change self-defense into
    murder. But being armed with one might make it harder to convince a
    jury that you were only defending yourself.


    But the weapons charge was dropped in the Rittenhouse case, no?

    --

    What is your point?

    The S&W AR-15 weapon was never "illegal" in this case. Had the rifle
    been automatic, then it would have been illegal. What was charged was
    that he was a minor carrying a gun.

    The judge found that Wisconsin law allows minors 16 and older to carry a
    rifle or shotgun with a barrel of 16 inches or longer. Both the
    prosecution and defense agreed the barrel was not shorter than 16" so
    the charge was dropped.

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  • From Barry Gold@21:1/5 to Rick on Tue Nov 30 20:03:40 2021
    On 11/30/2021 1:11 PM, Rick wrote:
    "Barry Gold"  wrote in message news:so3t33$l10$1@dont-email.me...

    On 11/29/2021 2:08 PM, S K wrote:
    In particular if the threat can be defused without killing the
    potential assailant - does any jurisdiction require that non-lethal
    means be used if possible?

    In the Kyle rittenhouse case, Wisconsin laws seem to allow the use of
    hand grenades by him to neutralize his attackers.

    If you use a weapon that is illegal to possess, you can still be
    charged with (1) possession and (2) using a dangerous weapon.

    But AFAIK using an illegal weapon does not change self-defense into
    murder. But being armed with one might make it harder to convince a
    jury that you were only defending yourself.


    But the weapons charge was dropped in the Rittenhouse case, no?

    Yes. There was an ambiguity in the law. When the law is ambiguous, it
    must be interpreted in the way that is most favorable to the defendant.

    But if he had used a hand grenade (AFAIK illegal to possess anywhere
    except for military personnel), then he would have faced charges of
    possession and use of an illegal weapon.

    --
    I do so have a memory. It's backed up on DVD... somewhere...

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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