As a counter point as I know a bit about this case.
Guy went out to his driveway (after starting his SUV to warm-up) in the am before heading off to work and witnessed his SUV being stolen. As the SUV was speeding away he fired a single shot, killing the car thief. End result .... not guilty.
It's not necessarily the act but rather your character that is on trial.
http://www.examiner.com/article/spokane-jury-acquits-man-who-shot-car-theft-suspect 
