u/Ill-Brick

So this would be modern day, U.S. in the south. Husband answers the door, drunk Neighbor barges in and starts savagely beating him with no sign of stopping. The Wife, scared for her husband, herself, and their infant in the next room, grabs a gun. Neighbor is standing over husband, kicking and stomping on him when wife shoots, not necessarily trying to kill Neighbor, but she does.

What would realistically happen from here? I imagine castle doctrine would be in effect, but would the wife be arrested, go to trial? I don't want her to suffer severe legal repercussions, but I'd like some idea of what might be likely to happen in real life so I can plan that part of the story.

Thank you!