Family feud. (Exercising the Right).(Brief Article)

On August 5th of last year in Fresno, California, Ethiopian immigrant Ambare Kidane, 44, became embroiled in an argument with Ardeen Purnell, 29, a brother-in-law of one of his former wives. During the dispute, Purnell (6-foot-2, 310 pounds) allegedly slammed Kidane (5-foot-9, 160 pounds) against a wall.

Ten days later, Purnell, recently released from jail on misdemeanor drug charges, entered the Quick and Save market owned by Kidane in Fresno's Chinatown. Initial news reports stated that he demanded that Kidane pay overdue child support to his second wife. According to the district attorney's office, however, the shop owner was not subject to any outstanding child-support court orders.

Purnell was not armed, but Kidane was. The store owner later told authorities that his much larger antagonist had threatened to kill him and his family. Apparently fearing for his life, Kidane fired five shots from his .38-caliber revolver, all striking Purnell in the upper body. He died at the scene.

Kidane contended that he had acted in self-defense, but the next morning he was booked ...