The state will have to prove the charge of 1st degree murder as an adult. That may be difficult (on video) considering he was chased, one individual threw what turned out to be a bag with a brick in it and another hit him over the head with a skateboard while in the ground. This is the problem with zealous district attorneys overcharging defendants. Now the DA has to prove the charges. The Atlanta DA did it to two cops. He lost his re-election, Wendy’s got burned down and the case is still open. All six cops in the Baltimore Freddy Gray case either had charges dropped or Nolle Pros and they all got their jobs back. That DA indicted them on the steps of city hall but couldn’t prove her charges. Knee jerk reactions by overcharging prosecutors sometimes doesn’t work out well.
Under certain circumstances no. It is also legal to use a firearm to protect oneself (under circumstances). State law prevails. I have homes in MD and FL. In MD you have to display a weapon in the commission of an armed robbery or other violent act to justify me drawing my weapon and sending you to the happy hunting grounds. In my home it is necessary to “retreat no further” and again, a threat to my family or my person before three rounds of 12 Gauge .00 turn your torso into ground meat.
In Florida things are much simpler. First of all a lot of law abiding citizens are armed so muggers think twice. At home if you step on my property and threaten my family or me it’s five rounds center mass. In the house? Well, don’t do it.
He was hit in the head with a skateboard, was he not?
He had a brick thrown at him, did he not?
He was chased, was he not?
If Rittenhouse was 17, black and armed and 3 white men threw a brick at him, hit him with a board and chased him, what would the conversation look like?