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People v. Watkins
Supreme Court of Colorado
586 P.2d 43 (1978)
Facts
While at a bar with his brother, Henry Lee Watkins (defendant) fired his gun at Walter McDonald and David Buckner. McDonald died as a result of the shooting. At trial, Watkins testified that he had shot the men because he believed that they were threatening the lives of his brother and himself. He asked the court to instruct the jury on criminally negligent homicide, but the court refused. Instead, it provided the jury only with instructions on first- and second-degree murder. Watkins was convicted of second-degree murder of McDonald and first-degree assault of Buckner. Watkins appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Pringle, J.)
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