Homicide Raises Questions About Deadly Force
 Still no charges, against the man who claims he killed an intruder.
It happened Tuesday night, at a home in the 2900 block of German street in Erie.
Police say, when the resident came home, he found an armed intruder inside.
He claims the alleged burglar went for a gun.
That's when he stabbed him, with a sword.
The victim is identified, as 24 year old Delvon Crockett.
The Coroner says he died from a stab wound to the heart.
Investigators are now trying to verify the homeowners story.
Meanwhile, the circumstances surrounding the case, are raising a lot of questions, about a home owner's right, to protect himself.
12News takes a closer look, at when you can use deadly force.
The man who killed who says was an intruder this week, told police he feared for his life.
So when can a homeowner legally use deadly force?
Erie police say, if you ever encounter an intruder, run and call 911.
But, what if you need to protect yourself?
The law says you can use deadly force in certain situations.
Attorney John Carlson says the use of deadly force can be complicated.
For a murder to be justified in the eyes of the law, first Carlson says you can not provoke the attack. Second, he says you must run away if you can.
However, if an intruder or attacker is 'inside' your home, Carlson says in that case, you have no duty to retreat.
"A person is entitled to employ deadly force, when he or she reasonable believes that they're in imminent danger or immediate danger of death or serious bodily injury, and deadly force is needed to repel the attacker." Said Carlson.
Carlson adds that even a mistaken belief that deadly force is necessary to defend yourself is justifiable under the law. That is, if a person believes their attacker had a gun and they are in danger, deadly force can still be a defense, even if it turns out the attacker did not have a gun.
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