Fair points. But then, that gets back to my point (which is certainly not original to me) in Part 1 about how intent can only be a defense when you know what your own intentions are, and how people generally aren't that self-aware. He might well consciously say, if asked, that "his life would not have been particularly diminished if he had not made the remark". But I don't think it's true; everything I've ever heard him say to Alice has dripped with significance.

And of course... I wouldn't be talking about any of this with anyone if he hadn't chosen to make his issues mine.