One, who knows how that victim voted? Odds on bet she’s a democrat. Two, the last guy who intervened in New York is being prosecuted. It’s no fun being a white knight if it’s gonna get you 20 years in prison.
True.
If you interfere unarmed, you might get badly hurt, go to jail, and be sued by the perp.
If you interfere with a gun, you might get serious prison time, and be sued by the perp or his family.
You’re right.
Try to help out, and you’ll end up in jail like that former Marine.*
Try to defend yourself, and you’ll end up in jail like Bernie Goetz.
* Or maybe all cut up. There are many stories of NYC Good Samaritans getting knifed for their troubles.
So maybe the split-second choice isn’t be a hero or be a coward. Maybe it’s hero, or coward, or cautious.