State v. Bruder

KONENKAMP, Justice.

[¶ 1.] Defendant was charged with aggravated assault against a sixteen year old boy stemming from an altercation with two boys at his home. In his trial, defendant testified that one of the boys shoved him. In response, he shoved back. According to defendant, the second boy then attempted to strike him. Defendant testified that he blocked the blow and struck the boy a single time. The boy was severely injured. Despite defendant’s testimony and request for jury instructions on self-defense, the trial court ruled that defendant failed to present sufficient evidence to support…