Toyin

After playing Final Fantasy XIV (and really trying to enjoy it), LOTRO has become a complete breath of fresh air for me.

I think Turbine has done a fantastic job of balancing F2P, with a useful store/VIP system. I never feel like I have to buy anything from the Turbine store, though usually do because there's actually handy stuff in there - besides that new night horse, each to their own I guess.

Even though I said earlier I'd have done the same thing, which is true. I probably would have tried to work things out more amicably and peacefully to begin with, then resorted to violence if & when required. That said, I still believe that anyone invading another persons personal property and rights has pretty much whatever is coming to them.

I agree with a lot of what you are saying Fun DMC, you're coming from the point of view that this could have been avoided by isolation, and notifying the police. And like I said, that is probably what I would do, along with many others. The overall point I'm trying to make though, is the problem began with the four men, and therefore whatever ensued after that point, after they made the wrong decision to take a vigilante approach - they brought on themselves.

It's like if a teenager is trespassing and gets injured by a security guard, is it that guards fault for being 'too' rough? Security guards & police are taught that everyone can be dangerous, which is why they may pull a taser before physically arresting/detaining the assailant. It's extreme, however it's also justified - same as this instance in my opinion.

Well I guess that's the thing isn't it. You where not there, nor was I.

By the sounds of the story I believe lethal force was warranted though, and those four guys are the ones that should have called the cops before barging into someones personal space & property. All this over a PS2, they must have missed out on the US $99.99 price drop.

I also see your opinion, and I can understand it. I do feel quite bad for this kid though, like I said earlier - even if it was murder why lock him away for that long, when most 'real' murderer's get 10-25 yrs. Seems like they where trying to make an example of this kid.

The other point to consider is about the drug trafficking. If this report is substantiated in regards to that claim, then it would seem apparent he was probably in a 'rough' neighborhood for lack of a better term. If that was the case then I think it's more understandable that he went to lethal measures possibly quickly. It also would account for the fact there was four men involved, practically or possibly literally a gang.

There is a few important points your forgetting Fun DMC, those four guys had no right to be on his property in a threatening manner. They did not leave when asked, and did not handle the theft in a socially recommended manner. Did the accused handle the situation in a serious, extreme manner? Yes. Was he rightful to do so? I believe he was. Where do you draw the line at self defense?

This is total BS. The guy didn't even have the PS2, and there was four guys probably beating his door down demanding the console back. The fact he only killed one of these idiots is enough reason to claim self defense in my books. And even if it was murder technically, then he should get 10-25 yrs, not all this other crap about weapon+attempted murder. They where probably going to beat this kid up, you don't get four men together for a little chit chat - I'd have done the same thing and as the accused! Completely self defense.

And besides, this isn't a vigilante society. If they really thought he had the stolen PS2, then they should have gone to the cops.