[sheik yerbouty]

The People's Republic of Massachusetts does not recognize self defense as a legal defense.

[wardaddy]

When I was listening to Savage's rantings last night on the drive home. He disclosed the victim's past and only because a reporter from Newsweek (I think) had been in his studio doing a story on him (Savage) and the reporter disclosed this info. It seemed from what I heard that the victim was the type of guy who spoiled for fights as a rule as well as came from a family in which this type of behavior was not uncommon. On the other hand ....does this matter? I know in rape cases it is verboten and the court's have ruled that a rape victim's past is irrelevant...rightly so in my opinion with rare exceptions. However..if a guy with a history of fighting is killed in a fight by a guy who has no history of this at all (that I know of) then it does raise my eyebrows...particularly in light of the fact that he's facing a 20 year bit. Could the prosecutrix be looking for a notch in her belt here? I'm simply not sure but it does raise questions to me.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I see this case as one of whether the correct amount of self defense was used (if it was indeed determined to be self defense), i.e. did the defendant just throw a few too many punches or did he stop as soon as the other guy was obviously in retreat or unable to defend himself.