State v. Straughter
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The Supreme Court vacated the judgment of the circuit court convicting Defendant of assault and armed criminal action following a jury trial, holding that the circuit court prejudicially erred in failing to give the "castle doctrine" self-defense jury instruction that Defendant requested.
During trial, Defendant requested a self-defense instruction justifying the use of deadly force by a person lawfully in a vehicle, otherwise known as the "castle doctrine." The circuit court refused the castle doctrine instruction but gave the general self-defense instruction. Defendant was subsequently found guilty on all counts. The Supreme Court vacated the convictions, holding (1) the circuit court erred in failing to instruct the jury on the castle doctrine; and (2) Defendant was prejudiced by the error.
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