That may be true, but it’s likely that instead of executing him. Jerome could have called the police, and the suspects would have been rounded up and put in prison for a long time. The assailant may have died from his wounds anyways, still causing the masterminds to be sentenced to life in prison. I suspect the verdict would have been innocent if Jerome had not executed the man on the floor and he died from the wounds inflicted by Jerome defending himself.
Had he merely defended himself, there would have been no verdict as this never would have been prosecuted. Even the prosecutor openly acknowledged that the first round to the head was a non-issue.
I'd be willing to bet that the guy had a "Benjamin Martin Moment" though.
There is a scene in the move "The Patriot" where Mel Gibson's part literally blungeons a British soldier with his hatchet in rage.
Again, very few of us have been placed in this position, but it may surprise us how we may react.