Boyd v. United States

MACK, Senior Judge:

Appellant Francois Boyd was convicted of simple assault in violation of D.C.Code § 22-504 (1996 Repl.). Boyd appeals, claiming the victim’s conduct constituted a defense to the charge. We disagree and affirm.

On August 27, 1997, Lonnie Snodgrass visited Boyd, a fellow construction worker, in the alley behind Boyd’s home. Boyd and Snodgrass had been friends for ten to twelve years. Snodgrass testified that he would frequently visit Boyd in the alley behind his home and that often he and Boyd would “fuss[ ]” with each other.

On that day, Snodgrass and Boyd were drinking. Boyd…