State v. Quick
Minnesota Supreme Court
659 N.W.2d 701 (2003)
- Written by Eric Miller, JD
Facts
Jon Quick (defendant) became aware that his estranged wife, Diane Quick, was spending increasing amounts of time with another man, Justin Mueller. Jon sent Diane several angry emails, which included threats against Mueller. One night, Jon drove 15 miles to the house where Diane lived, bringing a loaded rifle. Before parking, Jon drove around the block to avoid being seen by a neighbor. Jon accessed the home through a window, removed his shoes to minimize noise, went upstairs to the bedroom, and fatally shot Mueller. When Jon was tried for the killing, he testified that he originally intended only to scare and humiliate Mueller, but that he was driven to greater anger by hearing Diane giggle in an intimate manner as he approached the bedroom. The jury was instructed on first-degree murder and first-degree heat-of-passion manslaughter. Jon was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Jon appealed, arguing that the state (plaintiff) had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he had not acted in the heat of passion. The Minnesota Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Anderson, J.)
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