In Tuck Everlasting, Mae Tuck accidentally kills the man in the yellow suit.  The sheriff's constable sees just enough and has armed with enough information by the man to believe Mae has intentionally murdered the man.  In an accidental death, the fact that the man in the yellow suit had been threatening Winnie would tend to make Mae look more guilty.  In the early 1900's when this story is set, it is highly unlikely that any threat would have made the killing any less a murder in the eyes of the law. In 2009, it is likely that a would make a difference.  But, keeping consistent with the setting of book, it is highly unlikely.