Shaw v. State

OPINION

TOM GRAY, Justice.

A drug related murder occurred in a Waco neighborhood. The victim died of multiple stab wounds. We are asked to determine if the jury could properly reject the defendant’s claim of self-defense. When the defendant introduces evidence that he acted in self-defense, the state bears the burden of showing beyond a reasonable doubt that the force used was not reasonable or justified. Because we hold the jury’s rejection of self-defense was not so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence as to be clearly wrong and unjust, we will sustain the conviction for murder.