I'll never forget the time I was at work and a couple of teens jumped the wall into our very small condo yard, 25 years ago...wifey called the Monrovia PD, and the two officers asked if we were home-armed; not having lived there long, she replied "no"....both told her to get weapons, learn how to use 'em, and suggested - in the event of a deadly showdown - to shoot/kill and simply tell the police that you were verbally threatened....."automatic case dismissal".
If burglars or attackers aren't "around" to dispute you, any DA will accept your word that you were threatened, and "in fear".
That’s about what I’ve been told too. If the guy happens to crawl out the door, be sure to drag them back in. Hey, it works.