I am not going back and forth with you but the NYPL does not allow for verbal arguments to be used as a justification for self defense. That is what matters not Wikipedia. I don’t want to play you on this because the majority of people don’t know what I am talking about but I am right, trust me on all of this I am right.
Justifiable use of physical force, conduct which would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable and not criminal when
ypdcrime.com
you said you can't kill someone (generally) just based on them saying something. that statement is nonsense.
in THIS case i mean goddamn it .. it wasn't just a verbal was it .. he had scissors to the mans throat PLUS verbals.
and finally your own link says
"1. A person may, subject to the provisions of subdivision two, use
physical force upon another person when and to the extent he or she
reasonably believes such to be necessary to defend himself, herself or a
third person
from what he or she reasonably believes to be the use or
imminent use of unlawful physical force by such other person, unless:"
that covers verbal threats because it allows for a verbal thread of a future physical attack that has not happened yet.
so if i say I am going to shoot you and it is both an imminent and credible threat then you could shoot me first.
just a credible threat alone could constitute an assault.