Basically, in Mississippi, if you come onto my property with any sort of malicious intent, I can shoot you. It is that simple.
I don't want an enraged drunk that close to me. I'd much rather put a locked door between us.sounds like he was a perfect match for some OC.
Act 309 of 2006 said:§2.
(1) An individual who has not or is not engaged in the commission of a crime at the time he or she uses deadly force may use deadly force against another individual anywhere he or she has the legal right to be with no duty to retreat if either of the following applies:
(a) The individual honestly and reasonably believes that the use of deadly force is necessary to prevent the imminent death of or imminent great bodily harm to himself or herself or to another individual.
There is no such thing as a fair fight.
you would be guilty of manslaughter because your life was not threatened by a drunk man with no weapon.
If that's the case then there is something SERIOUSLY WRONG with the
legal system.
From the original story, this man sounds very large and
very drunk and very angry, perfectly capable of killing someone, armed
or unarmed.
Sounds to me like we're trying to judge the aggressor's intentions and/or
ability to seriously harm or kill. That's just not how I look at things.
Here in Michigan, you'd be perfectly fine if you had shot him. You were not engaged in the commission of a crime* and certainly have a legal right to be in your own front yard!
The man was clearly antagonistic and had a violent intent. Anyone with experience boxing, fencing, or wrestling can back me up on this: twelve feet from you is the same as touching you. If a hostile person comes within 5-7 yards of me, and I know I'm in the right, I would draw and point my weapon at them. Probably fire...
Backing away was a good idea, although I think you had no "duty to retreat" (in Michigan you wouldn't legally), still its not a bad idea to try. Drawing you weapon, but not presenting it seemed a good move, and one I will add to my repertoire.
Lyn Bates wrote a good piece, Lessons in Reality: Bitches with Guns where the heroine does, essentially, the same thing. A weapon in hand, but out of sight, saves her life. You might consider printing out a copy for your neighbor.