I think there should be an option to use a weapon that will not kill an NPC automatically, but incapacitate him or her. This ideally is the energylink device. It could be a stun weapon with a small chance of killing, like a taser. This will offer a player the opportunity to avoid a murder fine, but perhaps get a lesser fine of 'assault' which might be one-half or 3/4 the bounty or fine of a murder. I like this idea because some players may wish to do a stealth run and not commit murder.