Why exactly did I get bounty for killing someone that attacked me first?

[The Law]

For some reason, clean NPC dediced to attack me, so I fough back. And then I got 5k bounty for murder. Any explaination?

 

[rote1]

Did you scan him before attacking? Unless you have scanned him and know for sure if he is wanted, you will be committing a crime.

 

[Dragosani]

Hmm, yes this happens a lot to me also. Sometimes a "clean" npc will appear on my scanners and turn red (for no reason), so perhaps it is linked to my reputation in that system, or that I had recently killed another npc from their same faction.....but it does seem very annoying that they attack you and you either have to leave the system or pay up if you kill them....

I'm not 100% sure though so your question is valid....any of the mods or experienced players explain what the gen is?

 

[The Law]

Did you scan him before attacking? Unless you have scanned him and know for sure if he is wanted, you will be committing a crime.

Yes I scanned the NPC, and it was clean. And the suddenly he fired at me from a back.

 

[Lanatir]

well. were YOU clean? if he started attacking you because you were wanted, and you shoot back and kill him, its murder. no selfdefense for wanted people.

 

[The Law]

well. were YOU clean? if he started attacking you because you were wanted, and you shoot back and kill him, its murder. no selfdefense for wanted people.

Hmm, well that explains it. I had some minor bounty for firing on authority instead of pirate by accident. Silly me. But also silly Hauler, for picking up a fight with Cobra.