on the shore during lunch Michael and Ryan got into a verbal fight. After Michael made some rather derogatory comments about Ryan's mother to him, Ryan punched Michael. Michael suffered no physical injuries and the only real injury was his pride. Regardless, Michael sued Ryan for assault and battery. Ryan claimed self-defense as his justification for punching Michael. Will Ryan's self-defense argument allow him to escape liability for his actions? Explain your answer fully.

On the shore during lunch Michael and Ryan got into a verbal fight. Michael screamed at Ryan, "Ryan you are so dumb you should just go kill yourself or maybe I should just help you out and do it for you if you don't wise up soon. Wake up, Ryan! You need to change!" Michael then smacked Ryan in the face and turned around and walked away. Ryan picked up a large rock and threw it at Michael's head, mortally wounding him. Ryan was sued for assault and battery by Michael's family alleging that his actions wrongfully caused Michael's death. Ryan claimed that he was in fear of his life and felt that he was justified in his throwing the rock at Michael. Will Ryan be successful in claiming self-defense? Explain your answer fully.

On the shore during lunch Michael and Ryan got into a verbal fight. After Michael made some rather derogatory comments about Ryan's mother to him, Ryan punched Michael. Michael suffered no physical injuries and the only real injury was his pride. Regardless, Michael sued Ryan for assault and battery. Ryan claimed self-defense as his justification for punching Michael. Will Ryan's self-defense argument allow him to escape liability for his actions? On the shore during lunch Michael and Ryan got into a verbal fight. Michael screamed at Ryan, "Ryan you are so dumb you should just go kill yourself or maybe I should just help you out and do it for you if you don't wise up soon. Wake up, Ryan! You need to change!" Michael then smacked Ryan in the face and turned around and walked away. Ryan picked up a large rock and threw it at Michael's head, mortally wounding him. Ryan was sued for assault and battery by Michael's family alleging that his actions wrongfully caused Michael's death. Ryan claimed that he was in fear of his life and felt that he was justified in his throwing the rock at Michael. In either case above, whether Ryan punched Michael or if he threw the rock at him and killed him, for a jury to find Ryan liable for causing Michael's injuries, what must the plaintiff prove to prevail over Ryan?

Select one:

a.Beyond a shadow of a reasonable doubt Ryan committed the act that injured Michael.

b.Beyond a reasonable doubt Ryan committed the act that injured Michael.

c.More likely than not Ryan committed the act that injured Michael.

d.It is highly probably that Ryan committed the act that injured Michael.