Is there ever a time when God's Commandment that "Thou shall not kill" is acceptable to be violated?

A New York City resident has triggered a debate on this question after he killed another man who allegedly tried to rape his wife inside their own home.

Mamadou Diallo, 61, is currently facing charges of assault and criminal possession of a weapon for beating to death using a tire iron a man identified as Earl Nash. Diallo was initially charged with manslaughter for the incident.

Nash allegedly broke into the apartment where Diallo lived with his wife, and then supposedly took off his pants and attacked the woman.

The attacker also allegedly tried to rip off Mrs. Diallo's clothes and told her she was about to get raped.

During the course of these events, Mrs. Diallo was still able to make a frantic call to her husband, who immediately rushed home.

According to Diallo's account of the events to the police, he found his wife naked on the hallway, with Nash attempting to escape.

Seeing this, Diallo chased his wife's supposed attacker and hit him with tire iron. Nash died from severe head and body trauma, according to authorities.

A report from The New York Daily News said Nash had 19 prior arrests. For instance, in 2003, he pleaded guilty to stabbing, beating and sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl.

Although he is facing criminal charges in court, Diallo is getting widespread support. His friends and neighbours stayed outside the Bronx criminal courthouse to cheer him during his arraignment.

In a report by CBS News, family friend Kamafing Sissoko attested to Diallo's good character.

"Mamadou Diallo, he's a very nice guy. He don't bother nobody, and he's not even violent," Sissoko said. "But in this situation, that's something else. You have to do anything to protect your family."

Diallo's lawyer, Anthony Michaels, maintained his client was just defending his family. He is set to return to court on June 27.

Even Fox News host Todd Starnes urged authorities to release Diallo.

"I hope the district attorney comes to his senses and drops all the charges. This man did the community a public service. Mr. Diallo should be hailed as a hero—not a criminal," Starnes said in an opinion piece published by Charisma News.