State v. Watkins

¶ 1. This is a review of a published decision of the court of appeals that reversed Carroll Watkins' conviction for second-degree intentional homicide. State v. Watkins, 2001 WI App 103, 244 Wis. 2d 205, 628 N.W.2d 419. Watkins was prosecuted for first-degree intentional homicide, He acknowledged that he pointed a loaded handgun at Glenn Malone and that the gun discharged. He asserted, however, that he was acting in self-defense when he initially pointed the gun and that the shooting was an accident, occurring as he and Malone struggled for the gun. After a trial to the bench, the circuit…