ok, rehash first:

--asmo's death is final based upon "How" AND "Where" he died.
a. these factors must both be present to correctly identify what happened to asmo. i.e. if a theory proposes a "How" that can cause final death, which does not require a "Where", then that theory is wrong and vice versa. BOTH factors together are a unique cause of final death.

Once we correctly answer the "where" and "how" question, we can identify the perp b/c this ability/opportunity is so unique.

My new thought (sorry if it has been thought of before) was tweaked when considering that Asmo did not channel to defend himself. If the perp is a channeller, he could have been shielded, etc.

arguments against a nonchanneller state that Asmo could have defended himself.

BUT, perhaps the "How" AND "Where" also prevented Asmo from channelling? This would leave open a nonchannelling perp.

What How and Where could prevent chanelling?