"The State has offered no understandable theory of evidence that contradicts Fowler's explanation of self-defense. In fact, in responding to the motion for judgment of acquittal at the close of the State's case, the prosecutor acknowledged that “there's no indication of a reason for this happening.” Fowler presented a prima facie case of self-defense, and the State simply did not carry its burden to rebut the claim of self-defense and to prove Fowler's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."
Source: Westlaw
Where the challenged jury instruction involves an affirmative defense, as opposed to an element of the crime, fundamental error only occurs where a jury instruction is ‘so flawed as to deprive defendants claiming the defense of a fair trial.
Source: Westlaw
When a defendant presents a prima facie case of self-defense, the state has the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt tha tthe defendant did not act in self-defense. The state must overcome the self-defense claim by rebuttal or by interference in its case in chief. The question of whether a defendant acted in justifiable self-defense is generally one for a jury.
Exerpt from Westlaw
