I wasn't disagreeing with your main point; in fact I completely agree. This isn't the place to continue my thoughts, so I'll just say sorry for continuing the off-topicness with another post; I just wanted to clarify I wasn't actually trying to disagree with you on the "accidental" killings, which I utterly hate, especially the so-called "rough sex" ones. Should've said as much in my previous post, but I'm good at getting hung up on details and not making clear what I actually intended.
Back on-topic; was there a suggestion that Steven was strangled then, given how the thread ended up going towards that way? I missed it if so, but given his size, I find it a bit unlikely, only a strong man could do that, and even then, it would be hard with a young man fighting for his life, given that we're now assuming it takes minutes (if in fact it takes seconds, then it's a lot more possible). There would be easier methods, and even a heat of the moment thing in anger I'd expect a punch to be more likely.