78 year old arrested for murder of burglar, *Update: Cleared of all charge but still faces strife,

[Mr Puggsly]

palou said:

I think, it would require a reasonable threat to his life to justify the kill - depending on the details of what happened, I do believe that this should be illegal. Not a murder charge, but a charge nonetheless - perhaps a fine would do. A burglar is highly unlikely to attempt to kill/physically harm a cooperative victim, since that's not in his interest - if nothing more than as a security measure for the homeowner himself, engaging in fights against the thief should be discouraged.

 

"One suspect, armed with a screwdriver, forced the elderly man into his kitchen when he discovered them inside his home in the Hither Green area, while the other suspect went upstairs, the force added. 

A struggle ensued between the homeowner and one of the men"

I really hope you're speaking as someone that didn't read the article. If this is the story, then its self defense.