67 N.Y.S. 1033 | N.Y. App. Div. | 1901
A large number of alleged errors are assigned by the appellant, of which but two will be considered in disposing of the appeal. The ' others mainly relate to rulings upon the admission or rejection of evidence, and may be obviated on another trial.
The indictment charged murder in the second degree.' It was substantially admitted that the defendant shot and killed the' deceased, but the defendant claimed that he was acting in self-defense. In support of the defense evidence was given tending to establish that at the time of the shooting the deceased was engaged in a violent assault upon the defendant with a knife, and from which the defendant might reasonably have apprehended an intent to take his life. The learned trial court charged correctly on the general propositions as to the burden of proof and the necessity of the establishing by the prosecution of every essential element of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and was then requested by defendant’s counsel to charge as follows : “ Defendant is not required, as a matter of law, to establish beyond a reasonable doubt the defense of justifiable homicide, but, on the contrary, the burden is upon the prosecution to prove that the killing was without justification, and this must be established by evidence beyond a reasonable'doubt.” The court said: “ I charge you, gentlemen, upon that question, that it is the duty of the people to prove to your satisfaction, beyond a reasonable doubt, every material fact necessary to make out their case, but that in this case if you find that the defendant admits the killing, then you are to say whether he has established to your satis
That the charge was erroneous requires no special discussion. The subject was thoroughly considered in People v. Shanley (49 App. Div. 56), and the true rule stated by Mr. Justice Hatch (at p. 60): “ When the People have made a case which establishes the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt, it may always be said that the defendant is called upon to answer, and in a sense it may be said that he is required to establish his defense. In this sense he bears a burden ; but he is not required to satisfy the jury of anything. If his proof fall short of establishing justification, it may yet be sufficient to establish a defense by creating a reasonable doubt of his guilt, and if it go to this extent he is entitled to an acquittal.”
The second ground of error to be considered is presented by a portion of the main charge in these words : “How, if the knife was thrust into the face of this defendant, if the threat was made, and the defendant believed that his life was in danger, then he had a right to shoot, and the only question for yon then would be whether it is manslaughter in the first degree or acquittal entirely.” The learned district attorney does not attempt to justify this part of the charge, but claims that it was not prejudicial to the defendant inasmuch as the jury afterwards asked to have the law relating to justifi
The judgment must be reversed, .
All concurred,, except Sewell, J., taking no part.
Judgment of conviction reversed and new trial ordered.