Nathan Ninja, who holds a black belt in karate, arrives at his home to find an intruder fleeing from the garage. Ninja pursues the intruder across the front yard and catches him in the street. An exchange of blows renders the intruder unconscious.

A medical examination reveals substantial brain damage to the intruder as a result of the blows inflicted by Ninja. In a prosecution for aggravated battery, can Ninja successfully assert as a defense that his use of force was necessary to protect his habitation?