Quote: G1 "What if he crossed the road to reason with the chap (who on the basis of the evidence appears to have pursued the accused aggressively asking for a fight). Having gone across the road to do so it became apparent that he was about to be attacked and punched the gentleman in an act of self defence?
Remember that great video from the other year with the cage fighting cross dressers punching the young bother causing scrotes on the street? We all cheered that. It looked like natural justice. If the young scrote had, however, been killed by or as a result of that punch what would your view be? I remember the footage and the cross dressing cage fighter (love typing that definition) could have walked away from the aggressive little scrote but he turned back and walked towards him. It's just dumb luck that his punch didn't result in a death and the one in the present case did.
I fail to see why everyone is getting their knickers in a twist. Is it a tragic and sad tale, yes? Has justice been served, yes? It's a cautionary tale but I don't see the need to be baying for any more blood.'"
All fair points, especially the one about "dumb luck". You punch anyone then there is always the chance you can cause serious or even fatal injuries - or the ground can if they fall. My own personal feeling is that the law should encourage people to walk away from situations if possible just in case. If you walk towards someone who is looking for trouble and then punch them first then you should be aware that you have f***d up and any serious injuries you cause (bad luck or not) are partly your fault. It was a manslaughter charge, not a murder charge - so I guess even the law didn't see this is intent to kill.
I guess there are subtle differences in all cases.
