Ferrell v. State

MOYLAN, Judge.

A murder defendant who testifies that he consciously directed deadly force at the murder victim, because he believed that that force was necessary to save his own life, has himself established a prima facie case of the decisional component of first-degree murder. The appellant, William Thomas Ferrell, Jr., was convicted by a Prince George’s County jury, presided over by Judge Arthur M. Ahalt, of first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, and two counts of illegally using a handgun. The single issue raised by the appellant on this appeal is his claim that the evidence…