Blind Man’s Self-Defense Kills Thief

A blind man trained in martial arts killed a would-be robber when he flipped the man over his shoulder and into a wrestling hold.

Although homicide detectives were investigating, charges aren’t likely to be made because it appeared Courtney Beswick, 28, acted in self-defense Wednesday evening, Police Cpl. Jim Pauley said.

Reached at home, Beswick said he was not injured, but would not discuss what happened. Police said he has been legally blind since birth.

Pauley said police were called to the Germantown section of the city just after 8 p.m. and found Beswick sitting on top of the other man.

“This guy tried to rob me,” he told police.

Beswick said the man approached him from behind and pushed him up against a wall.

Beswick said the man kept fighting after he threw him over his shoulder, so he put him in a wrestling hold.

Police took the man to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead.

His identity was not immediately released.