A regional term in the South and parts of the Southwest. A person can become such a trial and burden on those around
hin that when someone finally shoots him, everyone who knew him says, "
Well... He needed killing." It was often used in reference to outlaws when word arrived of their deaths.
In modern times the usage is more in terms of referring to a
bad sort as "he needs killing". There are, however, several recorded instances where someone on trial for murder has attempted to use it as a defense - sort of a 'self-defense after
long history of intolerable actions' kind of thing. Sometimes the dirty, rotten *&%#@%&#* NEEDED KILLING!