Martin v. United States

On June 25, 1981, appellant was found guilty by a jury of simple assault, D.C.Code 1981, § 22-504. Appellant challenges his conviction by contending that the trial court erred in refusing to give requested jury instructions and by allowing the prosecutor to comment on his failure to explain to police his actions upon arrest. We affirm.

I

Appellant first argues that the trial court should have instructed the jury on the parental right to discipline children, and the right of self-defense. A “defendant in a criminal case is entitled to an instruction on any issue ‘fairly raised by the evidence.’…