# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/81 "2009-09-18T15:39:00Z")
I actually have an under-the-bed-sword. It’s not very fancy, but it’s better than nothing. [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v449/LaPucelle/05-31-06_1920.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v449/LaPucelle/05-31-06_1920.jpg) It’s an odd hybrid of a saber and a cutlass, but it makes a great machete when needed. (which is what I’ve generally used it for.) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/82 "2009-09-18T15:45:18Z")
Samurai College Student! Nobody’s yet mentioned [Belushi as a samurai on SNL](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Live_Samurai), in “Samurai Tailor,” “Samurai Stockbroker,” and best of all, “Samurai Night Fever”? Kids these days just don’t know the classics. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/83 "2009-09-18T15:55:35Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > 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 a sense, of course, she’s right: neither burglary nor trespass are capital crimes that I’m aware of. Then again, neither is jaywalking, but if you choose to step out in front of a moving truck, you have to accept the inherent risks. ---
**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, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/84 "2009-09-18T16:00:17Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > In a sense, of course, she’s right: neither burglary nor trespass are capital crimes that I’m aware of. That doesn’t have anything to do with deserving. And I understand she’s upset, but I’m kind of wondering what she expected was going to happen to the guy. Odds were he was either going to end up dead or in jail again. ---
**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, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/85 "2009-09-18T16:10:04Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > The phone. The bad guy may have a bigger bat. 🙂 The phone goes without saying. Unfortunately, a call to the police does not make them magically appear so I’d still need something to defend myself. I could throw the phone but I don’t think that would hold them off for long. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/86 "2009-09-18T16:45:33Z")
Granted that I’m not a DA or detective and don’t have all the evidence, but this looks to me like the most cut-and-dried self defense case I’ve seen. Even if Maryland did have a duty to retreat, I think it’s hard to argue that it’s reasonable to retreat from someone within sword’s reach of you. And it’s not at all unreasonable that the kid might have had a real weapon, not just a decorative wall piece. On the one hand, I and a few friends of mine have had weapon swords since high school (mine’s European-style, but one of his is a katana), and on the other hand, I also have a pair of decorative Japanese swords, and they’d be more effective still in their sheath and used as a club (albeit a crude one-- You’d be better off with a table leg or baseball bat). If I tried to use one of those decorative swords to sever a wrist, I’m pretty sure the blade would fail before the bone would. And if I were ever in such a situation, I’d go for one of the hiking staves near my door before any of my swords, but that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/87 "2009-09-18T16:51:17Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And if I were ever in such a situation, I’d go for one of the hiking staves near my door before any of my swords, but that’s just me. There is no place in my house where I am more than 7 feet from a weapon. What I would grab would strictly depend on where the miscreant was ingressing my domicile. If he’s lucky, he will merely get thrashed with an oosik. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/88 "2009-09-18T17:16:25Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > That doesn’t have anything to do with deserving. No? I tend to think that someone who commits a crime deserves the penalties laid down by law. That may not be what the sister was thinking of, but her words as reported allowed that interpretation, which is why I used the phrase “In a sense.” ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/89 "2009-09-18T17:33:54Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > The phone goes without saying. Unfortunately, a call to the police does not make them magically appear so I’d still need something to defend myself. I could throw the phone but I don’t think that would \*\*hold \*\*them off for long. If you put them on hold using your phones hold function it will stop them cold. Its a move that would make Dr Who proud. ---
**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, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/90 "2009-09-18T17:43:45Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > The phone goes without saying. Unfortunately, a call to the police does not make them magically appear so I’d still need something to defend myself. I could throw the phone but I don’t think that would hold them off for long. Agreed. 🙂 I am beginning to subscribe to the theory of calling the cops from behind a closed door with a firearm at the ready than actively going after the miscreant, though. Of course, if he tries to swipe my C Band 4DTV receiver, it’s a whole 'nother ball game. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/91 "2009-09-18T17:44:02Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > There is no place in my house where I am more than 7 feet from a weapon. What I would grab would strictly depend on where the miscreant was ingressing my domicile. If he’s lucky, he will merely get thrashed **with an oosik.** 😃 And how long have you been polishing _that_? ---
**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, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/92 "2009-09-18T17:47:36Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > No? I tend to think that someone who commits a crime deserves the penalties laid down by law. Sounds like you’re assuming the law is always just. I don’t think that’s the case. ---
**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, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/93 "2009-09-18T17:58:20Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Sounds like you’re assuming the law is always just. I don’t think that’s the case. I think that the miscreant could reasonably (and I use the term loosely) expect to suffer the penalty described by law and not something more. Personally, I would consider being killed as a possible penalty for breaking into many 'Doper homes, but I’ve probably given a bit more thought (ten seconds or so) to it that your average B&E guy. ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/94 "2009-09-18T18:33:15Z")
My guess about the wounds is that the kid swung the sword at the oncoming bad guy baseball bat style. Bad guy seeing the swinging object approaching, puts his hand up to block. The student, not being an actual samurai (that we know of) doesn’t compensate with additional swing strength and on the follow through slices the chest open. I predict no charges, and an uptick in sword sales. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/95 "2009-09-18T18:35:23Z")
> [@buttonjockey308](#): > > My guess about the wounds is that the kid swung the sword at the oncoming bad guy baseball bat style. Bad guy seeing the swinging object approaching, puts his hand up to block. The student, not being an actual samurai (that we know of) doesn’t compensate with additional swing strength and on the follow through slices the chest open. Perhaps. “Severe lacerations” suggests more than one blow. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/96 "2009-09-18T18:48:10Z")
> [@](#): > > There is no place in my house where I am more than 7 feet from a weapon. What I would grab would strictly depend on where the miscreant was ingressing my domicile. If he’s lucky, he will merely get thrashed with an oosik. Well, being in a ninth-floor apartment, there’s realistically only one point of entry to my home. And I’m more proficient with staff than any sort of sword, too. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/97 "2009-09-18T18:53:14Z")
You go with what you know. 😃 **runner** , I lovingly polish my oosik at every opportunity. I actually have daydreamed of using it to beat down some B&E scumbag, and then getting to listen in court as the description of the encounter is read into the record and the term gets defined. I invision much laughter from the court, and a terminally embarrassed thug. ---
**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, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/98 "2009-09-18T18:55:09Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > Perhaps. “Severe lacerations” suggests more than one blow. Both of **Whiteknight** ’s links say it was one stroke, and that he got the guy in the left wrist and the neck. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/99 "2009-09-18T18:57:59Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > I actually have an under-the-bed-sword. It’s not very fancy, but it’s better than nothing. > [http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v449/LaPucelle/05-31-06\_1920.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v449/LaPucelle/05-31-06_1920.jpg) > > It’s an odd hybrid of a saber and a cutlass, but it makes a great machete when needed. > (which is what I’ve generally used it for.) I actually have in addition to a number of antique 15th and 16th century weapons, a [Del Tin](http://www.deltin.net/)longsword that I had bought for my SCA champion back in the late 90s [he has left the SCA and he gave it back so I could give it to a new champion] I would really not want to get hit by it as it is a functional and reasonably edged sword. I personally would be grabbing my sidearm as a gimp I can’t retreat or close for attack. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264/100 "2009-09-18T23:30:37Z")
[Within reach of the front door.](http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a56/silenus_/?action=view¤t=P1010122.jpg) [Close by.](http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a56/silenus_/?action=view¤t=P1010080.jpg) [The oosik.](http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a56/silenus_/?action=view¤t=P1010165.jpg) Stories like this one need to be told to scumbags everywhere. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-student-kills-intruder-with-samurai-sword/510264.md?page=6)