Carlos Matthew Bell v. Commonwealth of Virginia

O’BRIEN, Judge.

Carlos Matthew Bell (“appellant”) was convicted by a jury of three felonies: attempted murder, in violation of Code §§ 18.2-26 and 18.2-32; aggravated malicious wounding, in violation of Code § 18.2-51.2; and use of a firearm while attempting to commit murder or aggravated malicious wounding, in violation of Code § 18.2-53.1. He contends that the trial court erred by not granting his jury instruction on justifiable self-defense.

I. BACKGROUND

In November 2013, the victim, a confirmed member of the Black Guerilla Family gang, was working as a confidential informant for the King…