E.L.F. v. State

In this case a traffic altercation between two drivers led to a third party being charged with criminal battery. The issue is whether the third party, defendant, was acting as a good Samaritan defending himself.

The State’s case began with this background. Because he had cut her off in traffic, a female driver pursued the other driver — following him for nearly a half hour — ultimately blocking him at a traffic light. Leaving her vehicle, she approached the male driver’s car, swung a *761blow at him, and then reached within and took his key. The male driver then emerged from his car and some…