[Lucky Dog]

...the state would possibly “go for a plea” in order to avoid a jury trial because there’s always the risk of “jury nullification”

You could be correct. However, I do not think the perpetrator would go for the deal in this case.

As I recall, the individual is 71 years old. It could be that he "sees the end" looming and would demand his day in court. If such were the case, the state could only oblige or drop the charges all together... an very unlikely course of action.

"Jury nullification" in the Tiller case would probably be very difficult. I am sure the judge would probably not allow the defense to present the kind of "inflammatory" evidence that would potentially lead some jurors to contemplate such an action.

[Emmett McCarthy]

No, I don’t see the guy going for a deal, either. And judges have refused to allow similar defenses - “acting in defense of innocent life” - before.