What does the death penalty have to do with self-defense? Oh yea, nothing. Rape, mugging are not capital offences either but they can get you killed just like jumping off a cliff or charging an armed homeowner pretending to attack him.
Last thing I saw on this particular issue the Louisiana state legislature refused to change the law
Good. How would they change the law? Lets see, something like this: "If a young man charges you waving his arms wildly, ignoring the gun being pointed at them and your orders to freeze, you are to assume they are just pretending and not shoot them."
I would prefer implementing and an entrance exam for exchange students with one question:
1. You go around side of a strangers house and try to open the side/back door. A woman screams inside. You run around to the front and a man is point a gun at you, yelling something you don't fully understand. You should...
a. stop moving toward him.
b. apologize
c. Wave your arms wildy while charging at him.
d. Answers a and b.
If they answer c don't let them in. This way, the rest of the popluation can go on protecting themselfs from criminals.
In 49 states the law is substantially different than this. Apparantly it just never occurred to anyone in Louisiana that it is not required of you to "confront" troublesome people.
There's no sense in trying to argue on behalf of Louisiana and it's people in this particular case. There's a lot of sense in avoiding the place. They are dangerous and incivil folk.