Self defense ......or not?

[Irving]

Being pinned against the wall is getting close to the line for me, but I wouldn't get out of my car to leave my daughter in there. If the guy got out of his truck with some weapon, AND I couldn't get my car out of dodge, then I'd consider drawing. However, I would never have been in the same situation given these same facts, because I never would have allowed (nor assisted) in letting the situation escalate like this. Being aggressive is welcoming trouble, not avoiding it. I'm glad the truck driver also got attempted murder.

[Batteriesnare]

4 hits from 13 rounds....I would take lessons

At least! Dear God!

[KFinn]

Being pinned against the wall is getting close to the line for me, but I wouldn't get out of my car to leave my daughter in there.

I don't have kids so I am sure I will get corrected or flammed but, Getting out of the car and leaving the kid in the car seems safer! I don't want the truck driver getting out and coming up to my car. I want to prevent him from getting close to any passengers. NOt saying all his other actions were justified. Just thinking that I would never want someone I am protecting between me and the threat. I would want them to my rear further away.

[Irving]

If you get out of the car, you have just eliminated all possible ways of protecting your kid that is strapped into the car seat, except for shooting a person who otherwise wasn't any where near your kid.

[KFinn]

If you get out of the car, you have just eliminated all possible ways of protecting your kid that is strapped into the car seat, except for shooting a person who otherwise wasn't any where near your kid.

I still dont think you have eliminated all possible ways of protecting. You have elimitated any vehicular ways. And I don't think the only option left is shooting at him if you are out of your vehicle.

JMO

[Irving]

I guess the point is that getting out of your vehicle is only voluntarily putting yourself into danger. The cops should have been called long before any of this stuff happened. The fact that this took place over miles and minutes shows that it was not self defense.

[KFinn]

true.... still doesn't mean it isn't in some way protecting the daughter.

True....

Just playing devils advocate

[275RLTW]

The fact that this took place over miles and minutes shows that it was not self defense.

I would be careful with that statement as not to limit self defense to a time or distance constraint. I agree that he did the wrong thing, but defending one's self (if that is how it is ruled) can not fit into a mold or box of time standards or mileage restrictions.

[litewavve]

I guess the point is that getting out of your vehicle is only voluntarily putting yourself into danger. The cops should have been called long before any of this stuff happened. The fact that this took place over miles and minutes shows that it was not self defense.

It actually happened very quickly. The truck came in from exit 160, within a mile at mark 159, the Jaguar was pinned to the wall. At mark 154, both men were stopped by the police. The papers said that the whole episode lasted 20 minutes.

There was an unconfirmed accusation that the Jaguar driver waved the pistol to truck driver before the truck driver decided to ram the Jaguar. Emphasize "Unconfirmed."

[Irving]

I know what you mean, but when this guy continued to instigate this for miles and minutes, it goes out the window. I understand that this could have turned into a real self-defense situation, but in this case, it didn't.