Opinion ID: 2612553
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: availability of self-defense instruction

Text: [3] In order to properly raise the issue of self-defense, there need only be some evidence admitted in the case from whatever source which tends to prove a killing was done in self-defense. State v. Adams, 31 Wn. App. 393, 395, 641 P.2d 1207 (1982); State v. Stallworth, 19 Wn. App. 728, 733, 577 P.2d 617 (1978). Although it is essential that some evidence be admitted in the case as to self-defense, there is no need that there be the amount of evidence necessary to create a reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors on that issue. See State v. Roberts, 88 Wn.2d 337, 345-46, 562 P.2d 1259 (1977); State v. Adams, supra . The trial court is justified in denying a request for a self-defense instruction only where no credible evidence appears in the record to support a defendant's claim of self-defense. State v. Roberts, supra at 346. In determining whether sufficient evidence has been produced to justify a jury instruction on self-defense, the trial court must apply a subjective standard and view the evidence from the defendant's point of view as conditions appeared to him or her at the time of the act. State v. Wanrow, 88 Wn.2d 221, 234-36, 559 P.2d 548 (1977). As we stated in State v. Miller, 141 Wash. 104, 105-06, 250 P. 645 (1926): The appellants need not have been in actual danger of great bodily harm, but they were entitled to act on appearances; and if they believed in good faith and on reasonable grounds that they were in actual danger of great bodily harm, although it afterwards might develop that they were mistaken as to the extent of the danger, if they acted as reasonably and ordinarily cautious and prudent men would have done under the circumstances as they appeared to them, they were justified in defending themselves. (Citations omitted.) In the case at bar, petitioner testified that he feared Slater, knew Slater had previously carried a gun, and believed Slater still carried a gun at the time of the alleged incident. Further, he testified that he had been told Slater might shoot him. When Slater made insulting remarks about him at the restaurant and allegedly made a movement toward his jacket where petitioner believed Slater kept a gun, petitioner testified he believed Slater would shoot him. Considering these circumstances, there was enough evidence produced at trial to properly raise the issue of self-defense, thus entitling petitioner to a jury instruction on that issue.