Exactly. The last thing I ever want to do is to take a human life. If I had to do that, I’m sure it is something that would haunt my til my dying day. But at the same time I don’t have a lot of sympathy for those who force other people into “my life or yours” situations. And every home invader does this, whether they intend to or not.

And if someone genuinely means no wrong at all? If they’re just severely mentally disturbed and are breaking into random houses, not intending to steal or hurt anyone? Those I would have the most sympathy for, but I think that kind of behavior falls into a “Of Mice and Men” scenario. A tragedy on all accounts. But sometimes mental illness forces people to put themselves into situations where they are inadvertently threatening the lives of others. Someone doesn’t deserve to be executed for that. But when a split-second decision determines life or death? I would classify the death of such folks as their illness finally taking them. No different than if they’re so delusional they think they can fly and leap off a tall building. Ultimately, everyone involved is morally blameless.