Opinion ID: 2331431
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: Generally, a defendant is entitled to instructions on the law applicable to his or her defense theory if there is sufficient evidence for a rational factfinder to find for the defendant on that theory. We view the evidence as to McCullough's claim that she was entitled to a self-defense instruction under a defense-of-self theory in a light most favorable to the defendant. See State v. Anderson, 287 Kan. 325, 331, 197 P.3d 409 (2008) (quoting State v. Oliver, 280 Kan. 681, 706, 124 P.3d 493 [2005], cert. denied 547 U.S. 1183, 126 S.Ct. 2361, 165 L.Ed.2d 286 [2006]); Anderson, 287 Kan. at 334, 197 P.3d 409 (stating clarified standard). This is because she requested this instruction at trial. But a different standard applies to McCullough's newly asserted claim that a self-defense instruction should have been given under a defense-of-others theory. Appellate courts review a district court's failure to give an instruction for clear error when the complaining party did not request an instruction or object to its omission. See K.S.A. 22-3414(3); State v. Brown, 291 Kan. 646, 653-54, 244 P.3d 267 (2011). Instructions are clearly erroneous only if the reviewing court is convinced there is a real possibility the jury would have rendered a different verdict. 291 Kan. at 654, 244 P.3d 267 (quoting State v. Marler, 290 Kan. 119, 124, 223 P.3d 804 [2010]).