Many in Greensburg may claim that the criminal actions that they are accused of were only done in their own defense or that of another. It may be easy for many to dismiss such an assertion as an attempt deflect responsibility for one’s actions, yet at the same time, nearly everyone may be able to contemplate a scenario where physical force may be warranted. It should also be remembered, however, that not all threatening or violent scenarios empower citizens to take the law into their own hands. The interpretation of such situations is left up to the state’s statutes.
The debate over when one may be justified in using violence against another has recently been renewed following an incident in the town of Washington. A local man is currently being held on bond due to his involvement in a stabbing. His actions landed another in the hospital with injuries to his neck and arm. The attack was prompted after the man walked in while the other was sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl. He pulled the other away from the girl, and then, in a subsequent encounter, proceeded to stab him. Details involving the investigation into the sexual assault accusations have not been released, yet the other man was arrested following his release from the hospital.
The girls’ father in this case is seeking the release of the one who saved his daughter, even in light of the stabbing. There may be many who share such sentiments, while equally as many others may bristle at the notion of such vigilantism. In the end, it is left to the law to decide the outcome of such a case. However, one may increase his or her chances of securing a favorable ruling by enlisting the services of an experienced attorney.
Source: NBC4i.com “Pennsylvania police: Man arrested for stabbing 12-year-old girl’s sexual assault suspect” June 22, 2017