State v. Graham

The deceased and the defendant, at the time of the homicide, were both about sixteen years of age, and were attending school. There was a slight difficulty between them during, as we suppose, the noon recess. On the road home the defendant struck the deceased on the head with a ball bat, and death soon thereafter ensued. The striking of the blow was not denied. The only justification relied on was self-defense. The court below was of the opinion that there was evidence tending to establish this defense; for the court in the instructions to the jury submitted to them the question whether it…