Deters v. State

Weltner, Justice.

Joe Deters shot and killed Philip Reynolds with a handgun. He was convicted of malice murder, and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Reynolds, in his home, argued violently with two of Defers’ friends and threatened one of them with a handgun. Later, Deters and one of the friends returned and took from Reynolds an assault rifle and two handguns. Upon Reynolds’ subsequent threat of armed violence if his weapons were not returned, Deters and his friends returned with the weapons to Reynolds’ home. Deters took the weapons inside and shot Reynolds fatally in the back of his head.…