Opinion ID: 1942778
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reasonable self-defense instruction

Text: ¶ 30. Chandler argues that the trial court erred by refusing jury instructions D-12 and D-15, concerning reasonable self-defense. Chandler argues that his reasonable self-defense instruction would have allowed for an acquittal. Chandler contends that the trial court effectively granted a directed verdict again him by denying the reasonable self-defense instruction. Chandler maintains that the jury could have concluded that any self-defense was reasonable because he was in fear and was attacked by Emmitt. ¶ 31. In Johnson v. State, 908 So.2d 758 (Miss.2005), this Court set forth the standard of review for jury instructions. This Court held: In reviewing a challenge to jury instructions, the instructions actually given must be read as a whole. Williams v. State, 863 So.2d 63, 65 (Miss.App.2004). When so read, if the instructions fairly announce the law of the case and create no injustice, no reversible error will be found. Id. Johnson, 908 So.2d at 764; see also Ladnier, 878 So.2d at 931. ¶ 32. However, this Court has held that [i]f a person provokes a difficulty, arming himself in advance, and intending, if necessary, to use his weapon and overcome his adversary, he becomes the aggressor, and deprives himself of the right of self-defense. Parker v. State, 401 So.2d 1282, 1286 (Miss.1981). ¶ 33. We find that the evidence did not support a reasonable self-defense instruction. First and foremost, Chandler never testified that his actions were in self-defense. The facts show that Chandler deliberately armed himself on the day of the shooting. Chandler put a .357 Magnum gun in his pants on the day of Emmitt's death. Therefore, Chandler was the aggressor in this case. ¶ 34. Chandler first told a sheriff's' investigator that he pulled out a gun, pulled the trigger and shot Emmitt. Later at trial, Chandler changed his version of events and testified that the gun went off but refused to admit that he ever pulled the trigger. Three witnesses, Carouthers, Belt, and Gustavis, testified that Emmitt and Chandler were facing one another, and Chandler pulled out a gun. Two witnesses turned away and within seconds heard gunshots. ¶ 35. One witness stated that he saw Chandler point and shoot the gun at Emmitt. None of the witnesses testified to any argument between Chandler and Emmitt. None of the witnesses saw Emmitt with a gun. None of the witnesses stated that Chandler or Emmitt were arguing. All of the witnesses stated that Chandler and Emmitt were standing facing each other. None of the witnesses saw Emmitt acting in an aggressive way or making threats to Chandler. No witness saw Emmitt and Chandler struggle over the gun. Carouthers and Belt described the gunshots as being fired very close together. ¶ 36. Chandler testified that he borrowed a gun from his uncle on August 17, 2003. The gun was placed in the front of his pants. Despite being allegedly frightened of Emmitt, Chandler walked into the woods with Emmitt. According to Chandler, Emmitt grabbed his gun. However, during the struggle, Chandler had the handle of the gun and Emmitt had the barrel. As Emmitt tried to turn the gun, the gun fired. Chandler stated the gun fired three times. He also stated that the bullets were fired immediately after each other. However, the revolver's trigger had to have been pulled three times. Further, according to Dr. Hayne, Emmitt was shot twice in the chest from a distance. ¶ 37. Clearly, Chandler's actions were not reasonable. Chandler armed himself before he met with his cousin, Emmitt. Chandler, who was allegedly in fear of Emmitt, agreed to follow Emmitt to Pheba and then voluntarily followed Emmitt into the woods, carrying a gun. Some of the witnesses testified that Chandler loaded the gun in front of them. Initially, Chandler told a Clay County investigator that he pulled the trigger and shot Emmitt. Chandler's version of events changed at trial where he implied that the gun may have accidentally misfired, but Chandler never testified that he acted in self-defense. ¶ 38. What is more, the jury received an imperfect self-defense jury instruction, S-4, which is quoted in its entirety in Issue I and will not be reiterated here. In addition, the jury received an accident or misfortune instruction, D-8. Jury instruction D-8 provided: The Court instructs the jury that if you find from the evidence that Joey Chandler killed Emmitt Chandler by accident and misfortune, in the heat of passion, upon any sudden and sufficient provocation then you shall find the Defendant Not Guilty. We find, again, the trial court more than adequately instructed the jury. This issue is without merit.