People v. Harris

In this case we granted leave to determine whether the trial court erred in excluding certain character evidence of the victim. We hold that the trial court erred.

*312I. FACTS

On May 28, 1992, Jerry Harris stabbed to death his long-time friend Wildean Holbrook. Harris claimed the stabbing was accidental, and he relied on three defense theories: intoxication, self-defense, and accident. He claimed that he, the victim, and two other witnesses had been drinking heavily at the time of the incident and that an altercation broke out between the defendant and Wildean Holbrook. The defendant asserted that…