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Bill is standing on a public street corner when Fred threatens to kill him with

ID: 3465866 • Letter: B

Question

Bill is standing on a public street corner when Fred threatens to kill him with a gun. Fred is blind and Bill can safely run away without getting hurt. However, Bill decides to stand his ground and he shoots and kills Fred. Bill argues at trial that his use of deadly physical force was justified. Based on the law regarding the limitations on self-defense, what will the likely outcome be?

1. Bill will be acquitted because Fred started the conflict.

2.

Bill will not be able to make a claim of the defense of justification because he had the ability to safely retreat before he used deadly physical force.

3. Bill will claim will serve only as a mitigation defense

4. All of the above

Bill will not be able to make a claim of the defense of justification because he had the ability to safely retreat before he used deadly physical force.

Explanation / Answer

The correct answer is Option 2. Bill will be unable to make a claim of self-defence because the had the opportunity to retreat safely before he used deadly physical force.