Most likely you did the right thing, since you know the person better than anyone else here.
However, in general, we could avoid confrontations if there are more constructive ways to deal with conflicts. Mass email war may not look good on any party. Some time we might have to treat bully by acting like a bully, while other times good professional manner could do more damage to the bully and build better reputation for oneself.
Just my two useless cents.