Couple things about doing this:
1. The player behind the mage is probably new to the game (sleeping at market square?), and will likely not realize that you didn't *try* to kill him, really. He/she may just see it as "that jerk attacking me again."

2. The original poster mentioned that he figured he would one-round the mage in question, which would make the attack-but-don't-lag option not really work.