Pond's Defense

Augustus Pond, a fisherman from nearby Seul Choix, was convicted in this building in 1859 of manslaughter after he shot and killed Isaac Blanchard during an attack on Pond's net house. For three days, Blanchard and two confederates had challenged Pond, his family, and Pond's hired hands, Cull and Whitney. One night, the three men began tearing down the net house and attacked Cull, who was sleeping inside. Pond confronted them and, hearing Cull's cries, warned, "Leave, or I'll shoot." When they continued, Pond fired and killed Blanchard. A jury sentenced Pond to 10 years confinement at hard labor, but in 1860 the Michigan Supreme Court reversed the conviction. Justice James V. Campbell wrote the decision, clarifying a principle of self-defense that remains influential: human life must not be destroyed except upon urgent occasion, yet a man assaulted in his dwelling is not obliged to retreat and may use absolutely necessary means, even taking life, to repel an assailant or prevent forcible entry unless he can otherwise stop the attack.

Mackinac Island, Michigan · United States