Richardson v. State

DICKINSON, Presiding Justice,

for the Court:

¶ 1. In this murder prosecution, the trial judge ruled in limine that the defendant would not be allowed to support his self-defense claim with evidence of the victim’s prior bad acts, including a violent criminal history. Because the defendant’s knowledge of this evidence would be highly probative of the reasonableness of his conduct and fear of the victim, we reverse and remand for a new trial.

BACKGROUND FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

¶ 2. Because Rudy Quilon was homeless following his release from prison, Harvill Richardson permitted Quilon to move into his…