People v. Fleming

On March 6, 1986, the defendant, Bessie I. Fleming, was charged by information with three counts of murder. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, pars. 9 — 1(a)(1), 9 — 1(a)(2).) The defendant allegedly shot and fatally wounded her husband, Tom Fleming. Following a jury trial, the defendant was convicted of two counts of murder and was subsequently sentenced to the Department of Corrections for a term of 20 years.

The defendant appeals her conviction alleging three errors. First, defendant claims the court improperly instructed the jury regarding the initial aggressor’s use of force in self-defense.…