Shirley Williams v. United States

BELSON, Senior Judge:

Appellant Shirley Williams was convicted after a bench trial of attempted unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon. 1 She contends on appeal that the evidence was insufficient to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that she was not acting in self-defense. We agree and reverse her conviction.

I

On September 29, 2011, Ms. Williams left her two children in the care of the children’s paternal grandparents, Jennifer and Gregory Bragg, while she was at work. 2 When she arrived to pick up the children, an argument arose between Ms. Bragg and Ms. Williams. That argument escalated…