[¶ 1.] In this appeal, we must decide to what extent a homeowner may use deadly force in defense of home and self. During an argument in his home, defendant fatally shot his unarmed friend. Because he refused to leave and defendant perceived that he behaved in a threatening manner, defendant contends the deceased committed a burglary by unlawfully entering or “remaining” in his dwelling with intent to commit an assault, justifying use of lethal force. The jury was instructed that self-defense in one’s home against aggravated assault or kidnapping could justify such force, but the trial court declined to instruct on burglary. Defendant was found guilty of second-degree murder. We conclude the court adequately instructed the jury and that all the other assertions of error are groundless. The conviction is affirmed.
Facts
[¶ 2.] Pellegrino and Gary McKee, the victim, had been close friends for over ten years. While living out-of-state, Pellegrino visited the McKee family regularly and stayed in their home for extended periods. Pellegrino moved to South Dakota from California in early 1996. He rented a plot of *593 land from McKee, purchased a trailer house, and placed it near McKee’s home.
[¶3.] In late January or early February 1996, McKee, Pellegrino, and another Mend, Arlon Leeteh, were playing cards at McKee’s. Pellegrino had been drinking. He wanted to fight McKee, so they went outside. McKee hit Pellegrino, causing him to fall backwards striking his head on a truck bumper. He was knocked unconscious but revived twenty minutes later. McKee’s wife washed the blood off a small cut on the back of his head. After this incident, Pellegrino spoke of his outrage and proclaimed he would kill McKee if he ever touched him again.
[¶ 4.] Seven weeks later, Pellegrino’s son, Salvatore, arrived from Minneapolis to visit his father. Salvatore went to Arlon Leeteh’s home to collect a late payment on a debt Leeteh owed Pellegrino. Salvatore threatened to break Leetch’s arms and legs if he did not pay. Upset, Leeteh phoned McKee on March 5, 1996, to ask him to talk with Pellegrino about the debt. McKee agreed. When McKee and Leeteh arrived at the trailer, Pellegrino was standing just inside the screen door with a .357 magnum revolver. He had been drinking. Leeteh expressed reservations about going inside, but McKee said, “Oh, Tom ain’t going to shoot nobody.”
[¶ 5.] What happened next is disputed. According to Leeteh, as they walked toward the trailer, Pellegrino opened the door allowing them to step in. Salvatore told the jury that Pellegrino told them to stay out, and that he would shoot them if they came in, but he could not remember if Pellegrino nonetheless opened the door for them. Leeteh sat at the kitchen table and Salvatore joined him. McKee told Pellegrino to put the gun down. He refused. They argued about pointing the gun. At first, they argued toe to toe, then Pellegrino began backing away. While Pelle-grino pointed the loaded weapon at him, McKee moved forward. According to Salvatore, Pellegrino told McKee to leave, but McKee wanted to go fight outside and shoved Pellegrino. Leeteh, on the other hand, recalled no physical contact or threats, only the argument about Pellegrino pointing the gun. As McKee stepped closer, Pellegrino pulled the hammer back on the pistol and shot him. The bullet passed through McKee’s upper arm, fractured two ribs, entered his chest cavity, and caused massive internal injuries. Pellegrino told Leeteh to get McKee to the hospital. Leeteh drove him to the Northern Hills General Hospital in Deadwood where doctors performed emergency surgery. McKee died the next morning.
[¶ 6.] After the shooting, Pellegrino and his son went to a Mend’s home in Sturgis. While there, Pellegrino telephoned McKee’s wife to say he had shot McKee, but thought he had just winged him. Pellegrino hid the gun in a snowbank. The police traced his calls and soon arrived at the Mend’s home. After a bit of persuasion from his Mend, Pellegrino surrendered.
[¶ 7.] Pellegrino was indicted on counts of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and alternative counts of first-degree manslaughter. Trial was scheduled in August, but approximately three weeks beforehand, he sought to dismiss his public defender. The court granted the request. Pellegrino then invoked his right to represent himself. Concerned about his competence and his ability to adequately handle his own defense, the trial court appointed attorney Michael W. Strain to assist him. Pellegrino was found competent to stand trial after undergoing a series of mental evaluations. Trial took place in December 1996 and ended with a verdict of second degree murder and a sentence of mandatory life imprisonment.
[¶8.] Pellegrino raises the following self-styled appeal issues: (a) “Was there sufficient court prejudice, forgery, improper indictment, deprivation of constitutional rights, and speedy trial violations to require the matter to be dismissed?” (b) “Did the trial court error [sic] in tolling the 180 day rule because of ineffective counsel and improper commitment to the South Dakota Human Services Center?” (c) “Was it error to not instruct the jury that a burglary is a felony for purposes of self-defense in your home?” (d) “Was the homicide justified as a matter of law?” (e) “Was it error for the court to instruct the jurors that an aggravated assault has to be committed before a person can use deadly force in their own home?” (f) “Is *594 SDCL 23A-44-5.1(4)(a) unconstitutional in that it forces a defendant to give up his right to a speedy trial to protect his right against unreasonable searches and seizures?” 1
Analysis and Decision
[¶ 9.] Trial courts possess broad discretion in instructing the jury.
State v. Rhines,
1. Lethal Force in Defense of Home and Self
[¶ 10.] On the right to use lethal force in his home, Pellegrino charges an array of errors which we condense for clarity. His arguments are rooted in the view that “if a person is unlawfully in a home, any force is justified.” Our statute governing this point states:
Homicide is justifiable when committed by any person when resisting any attempt to murder such person, or to commit any felony upon him or her, or upon or in any dwelling house in which such person is.
SDCL 22-16-34. To Pellegrino, the court’s instructions unduly confined what he believes is a broad statutory privilege to Mil.
2
He seems to argue that if one commits any felony in or upon a home, death may be imposed without qualification, even without apparent necessity. If this is what the statute truly intends, then he may be entitled to acquittal as a matter of law as he asserts. This statute, however, obviously codifies the common law and therefore must be read in comprehension of it and our other statutes controlling the use of deadly force.
Cf. State v. Burns,
[¶ 11.] The feudal concept of home as castle was borne of an age when inhabitants were compelled to turn their dwellings into fortified strongholds. The idea endures into modem times.
State v. Taylor,
[¶ 12.] Pellegrino contends that McKee committed a burglary, and, as a result, deadly force was justified. We find nothing in the record to intimate that McKee had violence in mind when he arrived at the home. Whether he entered uninvited was even open to question. Leetch testified that Pellegrino opened the door to let them in. Salvatore’s testimony on this point was contradictory. Even under the defense version, McKee did not enter in a violent or tumultuous manner; he and Leetch simply opened the screen door and stepped inside. In no version did Pellegrino shoot McKee to prevent him from entering, so this was not an instance where a homeowner was attempting to repel a felonious outside intruder. One has no right to later kill a person simply for having made an illegal entry, as that would not be an act in self-protection, but an execution.
See Brookshire,
A man has the right to prevent, in his home, the commission of a felony or the infliction on any of its inmates of a personal injury which may result in the loss of life or in great bodily harm. The right is limited to prevention; it does not extend to punishment for an act already committed. ... After the deceased had entered, though burglariously, and after he was in the house, the defendant had no right to kill him for the act of entry already committed.
State v. Sorrentino,
When a dwelling house is entered or attempted to be entered without permission, but without force and without felonious intent, as in the case of a mere trespass, the occupant may use force, if reasonably necessary, to prevent or terminate the trespass. Depending upon the circumstances, it may be necessary in the first instance for the occupant to request the intruder to leave; and, if the request is refused, reasonable force may be used to eject him. But the occupant may not use deadly force as against a mere trespasser, unless the trespasser attempts to commit a forcible felony or unless, when the occupant requests the trespasser to leave or when the occupant uses reasonable force to eject him, the trespasser offers resistance to such a degree as to threaten the occupant’s life.
When a person enters the dwelling house of another with the latter’s permission, the occupant may thereafter for whatever reason request him to leave; if the request is refused, reasonable force may be used to eject him. But the occupant may not use deadly force unless it is reasonably necessary in self-defense or in preventing a forcible felony.
2 C. Toreia, Wharton’s Criminal Law § 131, at 220-22 (15th ed. 1994)(footnotes omitted).
[¶ 13.] Pellegrino argues that even if the jury disbelieved his evidence that McKee unlawfully entered the trailer, McKee committed a separate burglary offense by “remaining” there against Pellegrino’s declared wishes and with intent to commit a crime.
3
*596
See
SDCL 22-32-1 (burglary committed when one “remains in an occupied structure after forming the intent to commit any crime”). Relying upon SDCL 22-16-34 and dictum from
State v. Woods,
[¶ 14.] The term felony in former times carried a connotation of greater threat than merely refusing to leave. The common law defined burglary “to be the breaking and entering of the dwelling house of another in the nighttime with the intent to commit a felony.” 2 W. LaFave & A. Scott,
Substantive Criminal Law
§ 8.13, at 464 (1986);
see
4 W. Blackstone’s Commentaries, p. 224. If we interpret “any felony” in SDCL 22-16-34 literally,
one
might justifiably be shot while forging a check in someone’s home. “[I]n view of the large number of felonies today and the inclusion of many that do not involve a danger of serious bodily harm, a literal reading of the section is undesirable.”
People v. Ceballos,
[¶ 15.] Other jurisdictions with identical or nearly identical statutes to SDCL 22-16-34 decipher this justifiable homicide language as if to include the word “necessary.”
State v. Couch,
[f 16.] After carefully examining these cases and our own justifiable homicide statute with its common law ancestry, it is clear that people may defend their dwellings against those who endeavor by violence to enter them and who appear to intend violence to persons inside. When a home is violently assailed by one intent on committing a forcible felony, the inhabitants may repel such intrusion with deadly force if such force appears reasonably necessary. Persons in their own homes assaulted or placed in apparent imminent danger of great
*597
personal injury, have the right to stand their ground and meet force with force, even to the extent of taking life if such persons actually believe, and the circumstances and surrounding conditions are such that a reasonably cautious and prudent person would believe, danger of death or great personal injury to be imminent at the hands of the assailant.
See State v. Lepine,
[¶ 17.] The trial court instructed the jury that “[h]omieide is justifiable when committed by any person who is resisting an attempt to commit any felony upon him in his dwelling house.” The court qualified “any felony,”- however, by explaining that “[t]he crimes of aggravated assault and kidnapping are felonies.”
4
With the numerous and diverse definitions of the term felony today, we believe it was never the intent of our forebears when this statute was enacted to encompass felonies not involving a danger of serious bodily harm. We would probably agree that ordinarily burglary should be included within this description, if for no other reason than by legislative fiat it is a crime of violence in some instances, but given the peculiar facts of this case, we conclude it was within the trial court’s discretion to decline to instruct on it here.
Helmer,
[¶ 18.] As part of his theory on a homeowner’s right to exact death within the home, Pellegrino believes the court gave conflicting instructions on self-defense, one on defense of home and another on defense of person: To him, defense within one’s home differs simplistieally from self-defense in that, unlike self-defense, defense in a dwelling requires no danger to life or great bodily harm.
5
Justice Henderson resolved a similar assertion in
State v. Jaques,
Jaques’ main argument, although never stated as such, is that they were justified in using lethal force because the evidence showed that Gray threatened Sitting Crow with serious bodily injury, in his own dwelling, and Instruction No. 62 indicates that force used must be limited to what a reasonable person would believe necessary. As stated in State v. Woods,374 N.W.2d 92 , 97 (S.D.1985), “any force ... would have been lawful force” in repelling a burglar from one’s home under SDCL 22-16-34. The defendant’s point is well taken that the court’s jury instructions ... regarding justifiable homicide when opposing a felony within one’s dwelling apparently conflicts with the “reasonable force” available under [the self-defense instruction].
This conflict, however, is more of form than substance. The court’s instructions, taken as a whole, indicate that the jury could find Jaques not guilty if he reasonably believed he was faced with a felony (serious bodily harm) within the dwelling and killed Gray to prevent the harm.
*598 * * *
[T]he use of force becomes limited to that which is reasonable in the circumstances, and, as the threat of harm dissipates, so does the reasonableness of the force used_ [T]he jury was properly instructed to consider the reasonableness of the force applied by defendants. The court’s instructions, taken as a whole, were adequate. Jaques’ argument is without merit.
Id.
at 265. Although we decline to endorse Woods’ dictum, we conclude as in
Jaques
that the instructions here were adequate. Whether, under the particular facts of each case, homicide was justified is for the jury to decide.
Brown v. State,
[¶ 19.] When a homicide defendant raises self-defense or justification, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the killing was without authority of law.
6
Francis v. Franklin,
2. Sufficiency of the Evidence
[¶ 20.] When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we are required to view it in a light most favorable to the jury’s verdict.
State v. Hage,
It is well settled that in determining the sufficiency of evidence on appeal, the question presented is whether or not there is evidence in the record which, if believed by the jury, is sufficient to sustain a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In making such a determination, this court will accept that evidence, and the most favorable inferences that can be fairly drawn therefrom, which will support the verdict.
State v. Hart,
*599
[¶ 21.] A jury’s function is to resolve conflicts in the evidence, weigh credibility, and sort out the truth.
Jenner v. Leapley,
3. Constitutionality of SDCL 23A-44-5.1(4)(a)
[¶ 22.] Pellegrino contends SDCL 23A-44-5.1(4)(a) is unconstitutional as it tolls the rights of defendants to a speedy trial when they seek to protect their rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. He maintains this Court’s holding in
State v. Hoffman,
4. Tolling 180 Day Rule
[¶ 23.] In 1991, SDCL 23A-44-5.1 was completely rewritten.
State v. Fowler,
The period of delay resulting from other proceedings concerning the defendant, including but not limited to an examination and hearing on competency and the period during which he is incompetent to stand trial; the time from filing until final disposition of pretrial motions of the defendant, including motions brought under § 23A-8-3; [and] motions for a change of venue....
The 180-day period commences to run from the date of the defendant’s first appearance before a judicial officer on an indictment, information, or complaint. SDCL 23A-44-5.1(2). Subsection 5 provides:
If a defendant is not brought to trial before the running of the time for trial, as extended by excluded periods, the defendant shall be entitled to a dismissal with prejudice of the offense charged and any other offense required by law to be joined with the offense charged.
In its findings of fact and conclusions of law, the trial court held that Pellegrino had been brought to trial within 180 days of his first appearance when the periods excluded by 23A-44-5.1(4) were considered. Findings of fact are reviewed using the clearly erroneous standard.
State v. Shilvock-Havird,
[¶ 24.] Pellegrino first appeared before Judge Warren G. Johnson on March 5, 1996, and on December 2, 1996, the jury trial began. From that 272 days, 139 days are to be excluded as time spent disposing of Pelle-grino’s pretrial motions and the delay accompanying the competency evaluations.
State v. Webb,
5. Denial of Fair Trial by Judge and Prosecutor
[¶ 25.] Pellegrino contends that as a direct result of a total deprivation of his constitutional rights, he has been denied his right to a fair trial. Specifically, he maintains that through the combination of the trial judge and the prosecutor conspiring against him, and the inadequate representation by the Northern Hills Public Defender’s office, his rights to due process and a fair trial were prejudiced. “This court has consistently held that a defendant is not guaranteed a perfect trial, ‘but every accused, innocent or guilty, is entitled to a fair trial.’ ”
State v. Raymond,
[¶26.] Pellegrino next asserts the grand jury proceedings were contaminated with forged documents and perjured testimony. 8 Further, he claims these “defects” left the trial court without jurisdiction to try the case. However, Pellegrino points to no concrete evidence to buttress his assertions. In our independent review of the record, we can find nothing to demonstrate that the grand jury proceedings were so tainted. Pellegrino requests this Court to take judicial notice of the perjured testimony purportedly in the grand jury transcripts. Only when a fact is either generally known within a court’s territorial jurisdiction or is capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned may a court take judicial notice. SDCL 19-10-2. Here, we are dealing with disputed facts and debatable assertions of perjury. We will not. take judicial notice of facts subject to controversy, whose source and accuracy cannot be determined.
[¶ 27.] Pellegrino further contends his due process rights were violated when he was denied access to a law library while awaiting trial in the Lawrence County jail. However, he was accorded assistance of court-appointed counsel. Again, after a -review of the record, we find no due process violations.
[¶28.] We have carefully examined Pelle-grino’s remaining issues and find them to be without merit.
[¶ 29.] Affirmed.
Notes
. Pellegrino continues his right to represent himself in this appeal. We granted his request to file an extended length brief. Thereafter, he personally wrote forty-four of his fifty page opening brief, leaving counsel six pages. Some of Pelle-grino’s issues were propounded solely by himself, others were advanced by both he and his attorney. Because some of Pellegrino's theories, along with their many sub-points, are meritless, we will only discuss the legally cognizable issues.
. Instruction No. 27:
Homicide is justifiable when committed by any person who is resisting an attempt to commit any felony upon him in his dwelling house. The crime of aggravated assault and kidnapping are felonies.
To find justifiable homicide under such circumstances, you must find that Thomas Pellegri-no shot Gaiy McKee while resisting Gary McKee’s attempt to cause serious bodily injury to Thomas Pellegrino or attempt to kidnap Thomas Pellegrino while in Thomas Pellegrino’s home. (Kidnapping is defined elsewhere in these instructions.)
To find that Thomas Pellegrino was resisting either or both of such attempts, you must find that Thomas Pellegrino reasonably believed Gary McKee was in the process of attempting to cause serious bodily injury to his person or in the process of attempting to kidnap him. A reasonable belief is one in which a reasonably prudent man under the same or similar circumstances would hold, seeing what the defendant saw and knowing what he knew.
. Pellegrino’s Proposed Instruction 3 stated:
The elements of the offense of second degree burglary are:
*596 1. That Gary McKee entered or remained in a structure described as the trailer house of Tom Pellegrino.
2. That said structure was an occupied structure.
3.That Gary McKee unlawfully entered or unlawfully remained therein with the intent to commit the crime of assault.
. The court properly defined serious bodily injury and kidnapping in separate instructions.
. There is authority for the proposition that any force is permissible in defense of home, although not in South Dakota.
See State v. W.J.B.,
A number of courts with the approval of commentators have taken the position that the occupant of a dwelling is not limited in using deadly force against an unlawful intruder to the situation where the occupant is threatened with serious bodily injury or death, but he may use deadly force if the unlawful intruder threatens imminent physical violence or the commission of a felony and the occupant reasonably believes deadly force is necessary. Thomas v. State,255 Ala. 632 ,53 So.2d 340 (1951); People v. Givens,26 Ill.2d 371 ,186 N.E.2d 225 (1962); Burks v. Commonwealth,254 Ky. 193 ,71 S.W.2d 418 (1934); Lee v. State,232 Miss. 717 ,100 So.2d 358 (1958); State v. Couch, 52 N.M. 127,193 P.2d 405 (1948); State v. Reid,3 Ohio App.2d 215 ,210 N.E.2d 142 (1965); Wooten v. State,171 Tenn. 362 ,103 S.W.2d 324 (1937); W. LaFave & A. Scott, Criminal Law 400 (1972); R. Perkins, Criminal Law 1023-24 (2d ed. 1969).
. A homicide is "without authority of law” if done without justification. SDCL 22-16-32, - 33, -34, and -35.
. Pellegrino contends the period of time spent in the competency evaluations should not be excluded from the computation of the 180 days since he was not afforded a due process hearing before he was transported to the Human Services Center for evaluation. We find no basis upon which he was entitled to such a hearing, and, accordingly, find his argument meritless.
. Pellegrino asks this Court to recognize his expertise in analyzing handwriting. There has, however, been no showing that he has such expertise, nor has it been shown that such expertise, if possessed, would be needed.