The People of the State of Colorado, Petitioner v. Edward Kevin Degreat, Respondent.

Summary

The court held that, on the unusual facts presented, the defendant introduced sufficient credible evidence to warrant a self-defense instruction on the aggravated-robbery charge, even though the alleged robbery involved unpaid taxi services. The trial court's failure to give that instruction was not harmless because it improperly reduced the prosecution's burden and the jury acquitted the defendant on charges where it could consider self-defense. The court affirmed the appellate judgment and remanded for further proceedings, while Chief Justice Coats, joined by Justices Boatright and Samour, dissented and would have rejected the instruction as legally unwarranted and harmless.