Richards v. State
Florida District Court of Appeal for the Second District
39 So. 3d 431 (2010)
- Written by Sara Rhee, JD
Facts
John Rynell Richards (defendant) was charged with attempted murder in the second degree after he stabbed a victim in the neck in a public park. Richards claimed that he stabbed the victim because the victim began attacking him, causing Richards to fear for his life. After trial, the court instructed the jury regarding the justifiable use of deadly force. The instructions provided that the use of force was not justifiable if the defendant could have safely retreated. Richards appealed, arguing that the instructions were outdated because retreat was no longer required by law.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Altenbernd, J.)
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