Opinion ID: 2507697
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Subjective and Objective Belief of Imminent Danger

Text: We find that even the testimony most adverse to the defense, Stroud's testimony, established as a matter of law that Petitioner actually believed he was in imminent danger of losing his life or sustaining serious bodily injury, and that a reasonable person of ordinary firmness would have entertained the same belief. [W]ords accompanied by hostile acts may, depending on the circumstances, establish a plea of self-defense. State v. Fuller, 297 S.C. 440, 444, 377 S.E.2d 328, 331 (1989) ( quoting State v. Harvey, 220 S.C. 506, 68 S.E.2d 409 (1951)). We believe such circumstances were present in this case. It is uncontroverted that Boot was highly intoxicated, acted aggressively over the course of the conflict, that he began advancing toward Petitioner quickly with the purpose of assaulting him, that he continued advancing toward Petitioner after Petitioner pulled the gun, and there was great disparity in the physical stature and capabilities of Boot and Petitioner. Furthermore, the State did not rebut Petitioner's testimony that he saw Boot reach under his shirt as he advanced. To the contrary, West testified she saw Boot place a bottle in his shorts as he left the apartment, and a broken bottle was found on the scene with Boot's blood smear on the neck. [6] Petitioner testified he did not see what Boot was reaching for when he fired the shots, but because Boot continued advancing after seeing the gun, Petitioner believed he was reaching for a deadly weapon. A person has the right to act on appearances, even if the person's belief is ultimately mistaken. State v. Fuller, 297 S.C. 440, 443-44, 377 S.E.2d 328, 331 (1989). Once the right to fire in self-defense arises, a defendant is not required to wait until his adversary is on equal terms or until he has fired or aimed his weapon in order to act. State v. Starnes, 340 S.C. 312, 322, 531 S.E.2d 907, 913 (2000) ( citing State v. Hendrix, 270 S.C. 653, 244 S.E.2d 503 (1978)). There is uncontroverted testimony that Petitioner acted upon the appearance that Boot had a deadly weapon. Petitioner testified that, under the circumstances and appearances, he believed he was in actual danger of death or serious bodily harm. We find it reasonable that Petitioner made such an assumption and that a person of Petitioner's stature and limited agility would entertain the same fear when faced with an attack by a belligerent, intoxicated, more agile, and younger male, who appeared to be reaching for a weapon. The State certainly did not rebut these elements of self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt, as the law requires. Therefore, we find that as a matter of law, Petitioner actually believed he was in imminent danger of losing his life, or sustaining serious bodily injury, and that a reasonable person would have entertained the same belief.