Clyde Shelton, also known as the Law Abiding Citizen, is the titular main antagonist in the 2009 thriller film Law Abiding Citizen. He is a former family man who murdered several "evil" police officers and criminals in an attempt to get rid of the justice system's corruption.
What makes him sympathetic?[]
- Was tied up and forced to watch as Clarence Darby raped and murdered his wife and daughter and was unable to do anything to stop him.
- The prosecuting attorney, Nick Rice, cared more about his win-loss record, fearing that the case was one he could easily lose, so he made a deal with Darby: testify against his partner, Rupert Ames and only receive 3 years in prison. As a result of seeing this, Clyde lost his faith in the justice system and became a murderous vigilante.
- He genuinely believes that his actions are justified because he is avenging the deaths of his family and wants to bring down the corrupt justice system.
- In his last moments he accepts his fate and looks at the necklace made by his daughter before he dies.