Opinion ID: 2682354
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Self Defense

Text: Next, Farlee argues because the evidence supported an absolute defense—self defense—the court erred in not granting his motion for acquittal. “‘If a person reasonably believes that force is necessary to protect himself or another person from what he reasonably believes to be unlawful physical harm about to be inflicted by another and uses such force, then he acted in self defense or defense of another person.’” United States v. Milk, 447 F.3d 593, 598 (8th Cir. 2006) (quoting district court jury instructions); see also United States v. Tunley, 664 F.3d 1260, 1262 n.3 (8th Cir. 2012) (noting that, because self-defense is not codified by federal statute, courts generally rely on the common-law definition of self defense). “Although a federal defendant bears the burden of production on the issue of self-defense, once that burden is met, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense.” Milk, 447 F.3d at 598. Farlee’s theory at trial was Eaton was waiting in Oakie’s trailer, and when Farlee came inside Eaton attacked him. Thus, Farlee acted in self defense. However, having reviewed the record, we find the Government presented substantial evidence negating this self-defense argument, and the jury reasonably could have credited this evidence. The jury has the ultimate task of determining the facts and assessing the credibility of the witnesses. United States v. Gaona-Lopez, 408 F.3d 500, 505-06 (8th -4- Cir. 2005). Oakie testified Farlee was drunk and had been acting in a jealous manner that night. She also testified that, once she saw Eaton inside the trailer, she did not unlock the front door for Farlee because she “thought [Farlee] was going to come in and beat [Eaton] up.” She then testified that, after Farlee broke the window to the front door and let himself inside, he yelled at Eaton and was angry and upset. The location of blood inside the trailer supports Oakie’s testimony that the encounter occurred near the back of the trailer rather than near the front door through which Farlee entered, contrary to Farlee’s assertion that Eaton attacked him as he entered. Finally, Farlee’s treating Emergency Room physician testified Farlee was belligerent and “appeared to be quite intoxicated.” Although Farlee presented evidence, including his own testimony, in support of his self-defense theory, a jury could reasonably have rejected Farlee’s testimony and concluded beyond a reasonable doubt, based on the other evidence, he did not act in self defense.