Maryland Serial-Killer Suspect Jason Thomas Scott 'Evil'

[rugersol]

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/jason-thomas-scott-suspected-maryland-serial-killer-evil/story?id=11266673

The horror began Jan. 26, 2009, in Prince Georges County, Maryland, as an intruder neutralized the Loftons' home alarm system and slipped inside.

Karen Lofton, a 45-year-old nurse, was fatally shot as she tried to hide in a corner. Her daughter Karissa, 16, was repeatedly shot as she frantically dialed 911 from her bed.

Police were perplexed. The doors were locked and there were no signs of forced entry. Neighbors were terrified.

A "classic" argument for the "Castle Law" ... and putting it to good use ... as reported, by none other, than ABC.

On a related note ... while listening to a lawyer take calls on 93X, this morning (I don't care for the "music" ... but there's little else to listen to, on the way to werk), I heard him comment that, "should a criminal be inside the house, there's no requirement to "retreat" ... but, outside the house, like in the yard, seeing someone stealing his property, he'd have to retreat". I was just curious if anyone had reliable evidence, to the contrary?

[plblark]

Defense of Dwelling is different than Justified use of Lethal force. Dwelling includes JUST your house, not the yard or detached out buildings.

In defense of dwelling you do NOT have to retreat, you do NOT have to fear GBH/Death but you must be resisting a FELONY in process and the force used must be reasonable.

Once outside the actual dwelling, it's back to the reasonable force for an offense and Justified use of Deadly force when you fear, GBH/D, cannot retreat, are not a willing combatant and did not start it, and when no lesser force would do.

Where does reasonable force used to resist an offense end and deadly force begin and where will the prosecutor think you should have retreated or became a willing participant? I know what _I_ think and how it SHOULD be but the question remains.