CA - SelfDefense? Man Acquitted in 2nd Trial

[RicInOR]

Ridgecrest man acquitted of murder in shooting of employee's husband

In reading the account in the paper, I am not so sure I would have let him off. Murder, no, but manslaughter? Of course, the paper may have left out what made the dead guy an immanent threat.

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[Caveman Jim]

""Norwood's wife, the documents said, told investigators he had a temper when he was younger, and that he once threatened to shoot co-workers when he was fired from a job.""

Maybe this is why the old man armed himself.
I would have used the "I feared for my life" (too old to fight but too young to die) in a situation like that.

 

[pchewn]

Sounds like a case of "overcharging". They found him not-guilty of 1st Degree Murder. Maybe they should have charged him with 2nd or Manslaughter? Or maybe nothing?

But from the description, it sure does not sound like 1st Degree Murder. (Willful and pre-meditated)

 

[KKG]

Sounds like a case of "overcharging". They found him not-guilty of 1st Degree Murder. Maybe they should have charged him with 2nd or Manslaughter? Or maybe nothing?

But from the description, it sure does not sound like 1st Degree Murder. (Willful and pre-meditated)

Unless, CA has changed, such a charge includes "...lesser included offenses..." so the jury already had the option.