Write an essay answering this question: Would it be legally ethical to dismiss the charges considering the circumstances or would you charge the dad with murder since he used a weapon to kill? As you formulate your answer, bear these facts in mind: First, the legal penalty for child abuse and rape cannot be death; that is, capital punishment is not an option for people who commit such crimes. On the other hand, some state self-defense laws permit people to use deadly force in to protect another person (see, for example, Section 9.32 of the Texas Penal Code here: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.9.htm). Also answer this question: Is it ethical to allow citizens to take the law into their own hands, no matter what the provocation?