Court Opinion

ID: 9579060
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:51:08.448537+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:34:15.177450
License: Public Domain

R. B. Burns, P. J.
(dissenting). Defendant was convicted by a jury of murder in the second degree. MCLA 750.317; MSA 28.549.
Defendant shot and killed Cedric Straud. The shooting occurred in the home of the defendant. Defendant testified that the deceased and his girl friend were living in his apartment at the time of the shooting. On the night of the killing the defendant found some money missing and informed the deceased that he would have to find another place to live. Defendant further testified that he was afraid the deceased would harm him and, being fearful of an attack, shot the deceased. Defendant pleaded self defense.
The trial court instructed the jury in part:
"Now the third thing that must exist is that there was no way out; that if he could have retreated and gotten out of the way, then he should have done that.”
In People v McGrandy, 9 Mich App 187, 190; 156 NW2d 48, 49 (1967), this Court stated:
" 'A man is not, however, obliged to retreat if as*343saulted in his dwelling, but may use such means as are absolutely necessary to repel the assailant from his house, or to prevent his forcible entry, even to the taking of life.’ ”
The trial court erred in its instructions to the jury.
I would reverse and remand for new trial.