Back in the 1980s, NYC subway vigilante Bernhard Goetz was acquitted of attempted murder under very similar circumstances. The jury accepted the case presented by the defense — that a crime victim’s state of mind is not conductive to sound, rational decision-making in a highly charged situation where self-defense action is taken under threat of death or serious injury.
The big question here is why Washington, who is only 30 years old, is out on the street after being convicted of killing a 62 year old shop keeper in a previous armed robbery.