Ward v. State

OPINION

STEWART, Judge.

Thomas Ward appeals his conviction for third-degree assault.1 He claims that the superior court erred by selecting a jury in Fairbanks rather than renewing its unsuccessful efforts to select a jury in Fort Yukon. Ward also claims that he acted in self-defense and that the court erred by not instructing the jury on that defense. We reject both of Ward’s claims and affirm.

Facts and proceedings

On October 2, 1996, in Fort Yukon, Thomas Ward went to James Ward’s house. James Ward is Ward’s father. Ward’s former girlfriend, Lori James, was there. All three had been drinking.…