State v. Rodriguez

Sweeney, A.C.J.

Jury instructions must “more than adequately” inform the jury of the law on self-defense in order to pass appellate scrutiny. State v. Walden, 131 Wn.2d 469, 473, 932 P.2d 1237 (1997). Here, the jury could have believed that in order for Refujio Abel Rodriguez to act in self-defense, he had to fear he was in actual danger of death or serious permanent disfigurement or loss of a body part or function. That reduced the burden on the State to disprove self-defense. We therefore reverse.

FACTS

Christopher Van Dinter confronted Refujio Rodriguez about the noise he was making outside…