United States v. Leonard

Opinion of the Court

Darden, Judge:

On October 1, 1968, Lieutenant Kob-ert Norfleet, Jr., regimental officer of the day at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, attempted to stop a free-for-all among twenty to thirty Marines. The severity of the fighting caused this officer to draw a .45 caliber pistol, insert a magazine, chamber a round, and put on the safety. Before he could do more he was jumped from behind by an assailant identified as the appellant by the Lieutenant’s driver. Much to Norfleet’s surprise, the assailant, instead of attempting to take the gun away, forced the officer’s hand and the…