Gray v. Commonwealth

VANCE, Justice.

The movant was indicted for murder, was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment. The conviction was affirmed on appeal to the Court of Appeals, and we granted discretionary review to consider movant’s claim that the instructions concerning second-degree manslaughter were erroneously given.

Movant and some of his friends attended a party at movant’s home which lasted into the early morning hours. All of those in attendance had been drinking. Movant shot and killed the victim, but claimed he acted in self-defense because the victim was…