You guys know the old saying ...

Better to be judged by twelve
Than carried by six!

You can never guarantee what will happen to you in a court of law in the USA. The important thing is to come out of this experience alive. Use as much force as necessary to guarantee your survival ... and then run the he** out of there.

After that, the more you talk - the more you create doubt about what happened. Keep it simple. "This guy said he was going to kill me, I was scared sh**less! I hit him ... and I ran."

End of story.

Pete