Opinion ID: 2621923
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Imperfect Self-Defense Manslaughter Instruction

Text: ¶31 We first consider whether the district court properly included the imperfect self-defense jury instruction over Low's objection. We conclude that the imperfect self-defense jury instruction was proper. ¶32 As previously noted, the prosecution is entitled to a jury instruction regarding an affirmative defense if the defendant has presented evidence supporting that defense. And when a defendant presents evidence of perfect self-defense, he necessarily presents evidence of imperfect self-defense because for both perfect and imperfect self-defense, `the same basic facts [are] at issue.' Spillers, 2007 UT 13, ¶ 23 (quoting State v. Howell, 649 P.2d 91, 95 (Utah 1982)) (alteration in original). Indeed, perfect self-defense and imperfect self-defense require the defendant to present the same evidence: that the defendant was justified in . . . using force against another . . . to the extent that he or she reasonably believe[d] that force [was] necessary to defend himself . . . against such other's imminent use of unlawful force. Utah Code Ann. § 76-2-402(1) (2003). ¶33 The difference between perfect self-defense and imperfect self-defense is the fact-finder's determination of whether the defendant's conduct was, in fact, legally justifiable or excusable under the existing circumstances. Id. § 76-5-203(4)(a)(ii) (Supp. 2007). If the fact-finder determines that the defendant subjectively believed that his actions were necessary to defend himself and that a reasonable person would have considered the actions necessary, it is perfect self-defense. If, however, the fact-finder concludes that the defendant subjectively believed that his actions were necessary to defend himself, but that a reasonable person would not have considered the actions necessary, it is imperfect self-defense. Perfect self-defense requires not only that the killer subjectively believed that his actions were necessary for his safety but, objectively, that a reasonable [person] would so consider them. Imperfect self-defense, however, requires no more than a subjective honest belief on the part of the killer that his actions were necessary for his safety, even though, on an objective appraisal by a reasonable [person], they would not be found so. Burch v. State, 696 A.2d 443, 458 (Md. 1997) (internal quotation marks omitted) (alteration in original); see also State v. Gomaz, 414 N.W.2d 626, 630 (Wis. 1987) ([P]erfect self-defense and imperfect self-defense differ only in regard to the factual determination of `reasonableness'. . . . ). ¶34 In sum, when a defendant presents evidence of perfect self-defense, he necessarily presents evidence of imperfect self-defense, and the prosecution is entitled to a jury instruction on imperfect self-defense, even over the defendant's objection. Were it otherwise, a defendant could tactically raise the issue of self-defense so that a jury could not find beyond a reasonable doubt that he had committed murder, but could then prevent that same jury from convicting him of imperfect self-defense manslaughter simply by objecting to an imperfect self-defense instruction. We are unwilling to interpret the Utah Criminal Code in a manner that would give defendants such an unfair tactical advantage. ¶35 In this case, the district court properly instructed the jury on imperfect self-defense manslaughter because Low introduced evidence, including his own testimony, that he shot Hirschey in self-defense. Low testified that he fired the gun only after Hirschey charged him and that he was in fear for his life when he fired the gun. Because Low presented evidence of self-defense, we find that there was a reasonable basis for the district court to instruct the jury regarding imperfect self-defense.