# Johns Hopkins student kills intruder with samurai sword **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 16, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264 "2009-09-16T02:31:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/61 "2009-09-17T05:58:25Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > These arguments are a little silly. A student confronted a burgler with a long criminal record in his home and slashed him with a sword when he lunged for him. Do you really think any DA in the country is going to try and prosecute the kid for anything? It’s a clear case of self-defense. The only time it becomes an issue is when people become excessive in their zeal to defend themselves. For example, if the kid followed the burgler out and then lopped off his head to finish him off. Or if he had his friends grab him so he could go at him with the sword. None of that happened. No DA wants the political liability of trying to prosecute a kid defending his home against some piece of shit no one cares about. I hope that the D.A. _does_ consider it, and investigate it as a possible murder. Someone was killed with a freakin’ sword; the least we can do is assure ourselves that it really was self-defense before we drop it and forget about it. On first impression, it does seem to be self-defense, but let’s make sure rather than simply accept our first impression. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/62 "2009-09-17T06:03:04Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Depends on whether the DA in question thinks he can make political capital out of it. Hope the kid’s not a lacrosse player. And I sure hope the dead person’s race doesn’t become the focus of a media circus, whatever it may have been. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/63 "2009-09-17T17:18:34Z")
Looks like the kid caught the robber single-handedly. . ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/64 "2009-09-17T19:13:28Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > The neighborhood used to get a fair number of break-ins, and after dark there would also be periodic armed hold-ups. I’m thinking that won’t be a problem anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/65 "2009-09-17T19:50:50Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Looks like the kid caught the robber single-handedly. > . Win. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/66 "2009-09-17T20:15:14Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > I hope that the D.A. _does_ consider it, and investigate it as a possible murder. Someone was killed with a freakin’ sword; the least we can do is assure ourselves that it really was self-defense before we drop it and forget about it. On first impression, it does seem to be self-defense, but let’s make sure rather than simply accept our first impression. DAs don’t investigate–they prosecute. Police investigate; they apparently did arrest (or at least detain) the student, but have since released him. Presumably they were satisfied that he had not done anything illegal, or at least that he wouldn’t run for the hills while they did whatever further investigation they deemed appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/67 "2009-09-17T20:55:45Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > And I sure hope the dead person’s race doesn’t become the focus of a media circus, whatever it may have been. Me either. Cause it certainly is black and white to me. Hell, its even cut and dried. ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/68 "2009-09-18T01:43:57Z")
Pontolillo told police that plans to rule the galaxy as father and son were on hold until further notice. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/69 "2009-09-18T02:08:05Z")
police now state there seems to be no intent to kill the intruder. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/70 "2009-09-18T02:15:00Z")
> [@SCSimmons](#): > > DAs don’t investigate–they prosecute. Police investigate; they apparently did arrest (or at least detain) the student, but have since released him. Presumably they were satisfied that he had not done anything illegal, or at least that he wouldn’t run for the hills while they did whatever further investigation they deemed appropriate. You’re right, of course, but my larger point is that the justice system should investigate this, not take it at face value. That said, I think that what it appears to be (self defense) is what it will end up being shown to be, and I’m not worried that this kid will go to jail. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/71 "2009-09-18T03:00:53Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > You’re right, of course, but my larger point is that the justice system should investigate this, not take it at face value. That said, I think that what it appears to be (self defense) is what it will end up being shown to be, and I’m not worried that this kid will go to jail. What’s left to investigate? We have a career criminal caught in the act of committing a felony and now deceased. We have witness statements that the kid acted in self defense. We have a sword and a general vicinity in need of cleaning. In my state, we could also have a statement from the kid to the effect of “Hell yeah I intended to kill the son of a bitch, and I’m glad I did.” Wouldn’t make any difference. No charges to file. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/72 "2009-09-18T03:51:00Z")
DAs do investigate, actually. And I would expect that they want to make sure they’ve investigated enough to make sure there’s no contradictory evidence out there (e.g., other witnesses saying the burglar was stationary when the student lunged at him; forensics showing that the burglar was on his knees when the sword hit). For better or worse, Maryland does not permit the indiscriminate killing of thieves. On the evidence that we’ve seen so far, though, I again agree that the student should face no trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/73 "2009-09-18T12:57:05Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > According to my sources, 'tis just a flesh wound. I saw that documentary too. ---
**Author:** ![Whiteknight](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whiteknight/32/4962_2.png) [@Whiteknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiteknight)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/74 "2009-09-18T13:05:19Z")
[Update](http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-sword-killing0917,0,16472.story) (SFW) [Update 2](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i_yk3DgiZ_JmZl1SSrXRbdqjZN9QD9AP65382) - Did not intend to kill ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/75 "2009-09-18T14:06:57Z")
> [@Whiteknight](#): > > [Update](http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-sword-killing0917,0,16472.story) (SFW) > [Update 2](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i_yk3DgiZ_JmZl1SSrXRbdqjZN9QD9AP65382) - Did not intend to kill Thanks, Whiteknight. Your Update 2 is very informative. IMHO, give the kid an award. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/76 "2009-09-18T14:51:54Z")
The dead man’s sister says her brother “didn’t deserve to die,” but there’s no word on whether or not the students deserved to have more of their shit stolen. In any case we now know the sword hit Rice in the neck as well as the wrist, which points to a lot of bleeding and just one stroke. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/77 "2009-09-18T15:17:34Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > IMHO, give the kid an award. In MY HO, give the kid trauma counselling and some peace and quiet to ensure his head is still bolted on straight - That’s got to be a seriously grisly experience. Oh, and Rice’s sister needs to understand the following phrase: “You pays your moiney and you takes your chances.” Her brother took it upon himself to engage in a risky and criminal act - He bore sole responsibility for his actions, and crapped out. Frankly, the appropriate response after her incredibly wrong-headed statement would have been for the reporter to have slapped her for insulting the intelligence of the entire viewing community. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/78 "2009-09-18T15:23:18Z")
I have a cheap Samurai sword, a cane sword, a fancy dagger and a replica of Sting. I think the Samurai sword and the cane sword are too long to be able to swing in a small space but both have the advantage of being used as a blunt weapon if I don’t have time to unsheath them. Sting and the dagger have a nice point and are small enough to be easy to handle. Which do you think I should grab in case of a burglar? [sub] Actually, I’ll probably stick with my baseball bat. I’ve been swinging that since childhood and I’m less likely to cut myself on it.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/79 "2009-09-18T15:23:30Z")
If the reports that Rice “lunged at” the kid are accurate you gotta wonder. That’s a pretty boneheaded move, jumping at a guy with a three-foot knife in his hands. Since “There can be only one!” has been taken, and in light of the sister’s comment, I’ll go with: Deserve’s got nothin’ to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/80 "2009-09-18T15:38:55Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > Which do you think I should grab in case of a burglar? The phone. The bad guy may have a bigger bat. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264.md?page=5)