The right to self-defense is the right from which all other rights are derived. As John Locke stated, self-defense is the first law of nature. Each person owns his or her own life, and no other person has a right to take that life or hinder the preservation thereof. Those who attempt to persecute people for practicing this right are doing a disservice to justice, which is why the following case is beyond worrisome.

Amidst an alarming surge in subway violence, two New Yorkers recently found themselves forced to act in self-defense when confronted with aggressive individuals on the city's trains. Their responses ended in fatalities, and now both men face manslaughter charges. The charges are in spite of both incidents taking place in front of dozens of witnesses. Not surprisingly, only one of these cases is receiving or has received round-the-clock mainstream coverage.

In a society that often upholds the right to self-defense, these charges stand as stark reminders of a justice system that seems to respond subjectively to cases involving personal protection.

In the most recent incident, Jordan Williams, a 20-year-old Queens resident, intervened when a man reportedly punched his girlfriend and harassed other subway riders. Williams' response led to the stabbing and death of the assailant, Devictor Ouedraogo. Jason Goldman, Williams' attorney, insists his client was acting in self-defense. Despite this, Williams was charged with manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon, while another, unnamed individual, was released from custody.