Woodward v. State

OPINION

BRYNER, Chief Judge.

Michael G. Woodward was convicted of extortion, in violation of AS 11.41.520, following a jury trial presided over by Superi- or Court Judge Jay Hodges. Woodward appeals, contending that Judge Hodges erred in refusing to instruct the jury on Woodward’s claim-of-right defense and in precluding Woodward from presenting evidence of selective prosecution to the jury. We affirm.

Woodward was convicted of extortion for threatening to physically injure George Cooper unless Cooper paid Woodward $8,000. Woodward’s wife had loaned $8,000 to a man named Mike Lyle. When Lyle was…