Commonwealth v. Alexander

SENIOR JUSTICE WHITING

delivered the opinion of the Court.

In this appeal, we decide whether a deadly weapon may be brandished in defense of personal property.

Jon Douglas Alexander was charged with attempted murder in Rockbridge County. At a preliminary hearing on that charge, the general district court reduced the charge to that of brandishing a firearm in violation of Code § 18.2-282 and convicted defendant Alexander of that charge. 1

The defendant appealed his conviction to the circuit court. In a jury trial, the defendant tendered, but the court refused to grant, instructions advising the…