The lead prosecutor in the Arbery murder trial echoed an observation commonly made when discussing Kyle Rittenhouse’s claim of self-defense:
“You can’t start it and claim self-defense,” [Linda Dunikoski,] the lead prosecutor argued in her closing statements. “And they started this.”
Eventually trapped between the two pickup trucks, Mr. Arbery then ended up in a confrontation with Travis McMichael, who was armed with a shotgun and fired at Mr. Arbery three times at close range. Mr. McMichael testified that he feared that Mr. Arbery, who had no weapon, would get control of the shotgun from him and threaten his life.
I imagine anyone with a weapon fears that it will be used against them if things go sideways. Couldn’t the answer be for amateurs not to take up arms?
Buzzfeed asks what will happen to this argument in Marc Wilson’s case.