Court Opinion

ID: 9540039
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:12:25.698589+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:33.388914
License: Public Domain

ARROWOOD, Judge
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent.
In determining whether to instruct on a defense the trial court must consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the defendant. State v. Withers, 179 N.C. App. 249, 257, 633 S.E.2d 863, 868 (2006). Failure to include an instruction on self-defense or defense of a family member where there is sufficient evidence to warrant such an instruction is prejudicial error. See State v. Williams, 154 N.C. App. 496, 571 S.E.2d 886 (2002).
In the light most favorable to the Defendant the evidence showed the following: Emmanual Harris (the deceased) who was approximately six feet tall and weighed approximately one hundred and eighty (180) pounds approached a produce stand operated by Joshua Moore (Defendant), his wife (Mrs. Moore), and grandson. After acting suspiciously for some amount of time, Harris pretended to want to make a purchase. When Mrs. Moore attempted to make change, *762Harris tried to grab the cash box she was opening. The cash box was bolted to the produce table. A struggle ensued and Harris struck at Mrs. Moore. As the struggle continued Mrs. Moore became more fearful and testified she was “scared to death”. She yelled for the Defendant who was in the back of the produce truck. He saw Harris “tussling” with his wife and Defendant ordered Harris to back off. Harris initially backed off, but then placed his hand in the left pocket of his baggy pants. Defendant then reached for a gun that was in the back of the truck. Harris began to advance toward Defendant and his wife moving his hand in his pocket. When Harris’ hand reached the top of the pocket, Defendant fired one shot which killed Harris. Defendant further testified that at the time he feared for the safety of his wife, his grandson and himself.
“A defendant is entitled to an instruction on self-defense if there is any evidence in the record which establishes that it was necessary or that it reasonably appeared to the defendant to be necessary to kill in order to protect himself from death or great bodily harm. When defendant’s evidence is sufficient to support an instruction on self-defense, the instruction must be given even though the State’s evidence is contradictory.” State v. Hughes, 82 N.C. App. 724, 727, 348 S.E.2d 147, 150 (1986) (internal citations omitted). Self-defense includes the right to defend another in a family relationship with the defendant. See State v. Carter 254 N.C. 475, 119 S.E.2d 461 (1961).
Taking the evidence in the light most favorable to the Defendant, I believe it is sufficient to require the trial court to instruct on self-defense and defense of other. Therefore, I dissent and vote to remand the case for a new trial.