Anonymous asked this question on 3/10/2000:

In dock law, were doing mach trials, and I'm a lawyer on the defense of Bernhard H. Goetz. Do any of you Know how I could play the self defense card (using the fact that he had two prior muggings and was a scawny little man) and the laws involved? email me @ baby_bare_8@yahoo.com. Thanks!!!

blue_eyes_33 gave this response on 3/16/2000:

I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT THERE ISNT MUCH INFORMATION PRESENTED BUT THERE IS ONE THING THAT YOU CAN USE THAT WORKS MOST OF THE TIME. IN A SELF - DEFENSE CASE YOU HAVE TO SHOW THAT HE USED THE SAME AMOUNT OF FORCE AS THE OTHER PERSON DID AND HE WENT ONE STEP UP ON THE ESCULATION SCALE BECAUSE HE THOUGHT THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE KILLED OR GREAT BODILY HARM WOULD COME TO HIM. YOU CAN GO IN THERE AND SAY LOOK AT HIS SIZE AND LOOK AT THE VICTIMS SIZE AND TELL ME IF IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT HE COULD HAVE OVERPOWERED THE VICTIM. THE RULES OF EVIDENCE IN UTAH SAY THAT YOU CANNOT BRING UP ANYTHING THAT IS NOT RELAVANT TO THE CASE. IT ACTUALLY MAY HURT YOU MORE THAN HELP YOU~!!!!

BLUE_EYES_33