Coffey v. State

The appellant, James Edward Coffey, was convicted of manslaughter and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The state's evidence tended to show that in the early morning hours of August 23, 1987, the appellant shot and killed Bobby Bouldin. The appellant does not contend that he did not shoot Mr. Bouldin; his sole contention at trial was that he acted in self-defense. The appellant raises three issues on appeal.

I

The appellant initially argues that the trial court erred in giving the following instruction to the jury when he was explaining self-defense:

"I am not saying that is the evidence in…