What's to stop someone from lying about having retreated?

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

1. Excellent post.

Good question.

- Surveillance video, witness statements, forensic evidence. But you did not want that.

So.... (see disclaimer below, I am not a lawyer)

- In one's own residence or 'the curtilage thereof' (just outside the house) one does not have to retreat.

- Make noise, say things like - "put that gun away" or "why do you have a gun." Develop witnesses that way.

- Go back to your own property such as your vehicle. Keys out, try to drive away.

- Move back, go back the way you came in. Be able to say "He pulled a weapon HERE, I moved back to over HERE." Distance.

- Move back, have the aggressor move forward, perhaps entry wounds will tell that story if you do shoot.

- I all else fails, hope the bad guy is wanted by the law for a bunch of nasty stuff.

What's to stop someone from lying? Nothing. Why do you think police unions demand time (up to several days) before an officer can be 'interviewed' about a shooting?