I heard of the story also, but i don't think it was all that came out, it might be as real as they broad casted but no matter the offense, as long the defense that resulted to killing wasn't a direct attack, it doesn't worth the penalty. To the judge that gave the sentence, if he be in the same problem as the guilty, won't he have protected himself, even at worst a jail time seems to be much better than a death sentence.
Defense is something we should be careful about inother not to ruined our lives along the line. A man have no right or claim to take the life of another man despite the circumstances. However we're living in a country where law is not effective and we've watch quite alot of things going south because the leaders have failed in all ramifications to get things done on your path. Jail time would be consider to be a matching punishment for taking a herdman's life but reverse is the case. We've seen quite ugly situations and the judge didn't just take it likely.