deadly force to protect personal property is not a defense in NC.
In this case, I believe the felons were intending on using the chainsaw as a weapon against someone....
That would make it a robbery, not a theft (I know you know that). Big difference when it comes to deadly force issues.
I was just providing a little "advice" for the owner's sons defense.
Unless there's some sort of compelling evidence (or if the media forgets about the whole situation because everyone involved is white and the situation fades away) the kid will have a problem with his defense unless he can prove that the thieves were planning on hurting someone with that chainsaw....
