UPDATE NOTE: Ken Blumreich was misquoted by the reporters. See his clarification comment here, and my clarification post here.
She was an experienced hiker and accomplished martial arts student described by her self-defense instructor as "120 pounds of pure tough."
"I've seen her take down men twice her size," said Ken Blumreich.
No you haven't, Ken, not in a real fight, against a man whose intent is to kill. Those don't take place on mats, wearing protective gear, and with a sensei enforcing rules of engagement, including when to break off. And I don't know of too many dojos where full contact between men and women is allowed--or too may insurance carriers that would underwrite such an operation.
Look at the specs on the alleged assailant: He's 60 years old, 5/10", 160 lbs., bad teeth...doesn't sound like the most formidable of opponents, does he?
She was less than half his age, in the prime of health and strength and endurance...
We touched on this here. Life just isn't like the movies, where dashing heroines employ their fighting skills to dispatch multiple hulking killers with skill, and most of all, style. The simple fact is, except for extremely rare anomalies, a woman stands no chance against a man in a mortal physical confrontation.
I truly don't mean to disparage martial arts--they have their place in the toolkit. But ultimately, when confronted by a man intent on doing her vicious harm, a woman needs the ability to respond with lethal force, meaning she needs training, she needs the mindset, and she needs an equalizer.
