Indiana law says that it is NOT self defense if you initiate a confrontation or attack on another person, and then use force.
I.E. Pick a fight or start a physical altercation with someone who then overpowers you. Lethal force would not be seen as self defense in this scenario.
So that leads me to my hypothetical question. What if you are outside at night, minding your business, watering your lawn ect. An individual(s) walking by is being disorderly, loud, throw trash in your yard, whatever. You simply say something to them to address the issue. "Quiet down!" "Pick up your trash please!" ect. However, the response from the person(s) is not what you expect and they confront you aggressively verbally/physically. What was once a simple request has escalated. Would you be justified in self defense even though you "initiated" the contact?
I guess this same idea could be applied to any situation where you might "initiate" contact in a non-aggressive way but the person reacts in an unexpected way.
I.E. Pick a fight or start a physical altercation with someone who then overpowers you. Lethal force would not be seen as self defense in this scenario.
So that leads me to my hypothetical question. What if you are outside at night, minding your business, watering your lawn ect. An individual(s) walking by is being disorderly, loud, throw trash in your yard, whatever. You simply say something to them to address the issue. "Quiet down!" "Pick up your trash please!" ect. However, the response from the person(s) is not what you expect and they confront you aggressively verbally/physically. What was once a simple request has escalated. Would you be justified in self defense even though you "initiated" the contact?
I guess this same idea could be applied to any situation where you might "initiate" contact in a non-aggressive way but the person reacts in an unexpected way.