# Should witness testimony be disregarded if it conflicts with self-defense claim for a murder trial?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-witness-testimony-be-disregarded-if-it-conflicts-with-self-defense-claim-for-a-murder-trial/709664>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [January 12, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-witness-testimony-be-disregarded-if-it-conflicts-with-self-defense-claim-for-a-murder-trial/709664 "2015-01-12T23:42:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 86

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**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-witness-testimony-be-disregarded-if-it-conflicts-with-self-defense-claim-for-a-murder-trial/709664/86 "2015-01-13T18:18:55Z")

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> [@Steophan](#):
>
> No, my point is it isn’t certain beyond reasonable doubt that they’re neither lying nor mistaken. You, like several others here, have the burden of proof misplaced once again.

Just so we’re clear that I’m not pulling your actually position out of my ass:

> [@George Zimmerman - In the news again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/490):
>
> No, **he threatened Dunn** , and Dunn is now imprisoned for life for defending himself. It says a lot about you that you think that’s acceptable.

(Bolding mine). Nothing in there about reasonable doubt. You stated it with confidence, as I said, and then only altered your position when other posters wouldn’t let you get away with it.

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