People v. Sloan

Summary

The court held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by refusing to give a jury instruction stating that a nonaggressor has no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense. The evidence did not establish that David was the initial aggressor, and the instruction was unsupported and potentially confusing because the jury was tasked with deciding whether defendant's use of force was justified or reasonable. The court reversed the appellate court, affirmed the circuit court, and remanded for consideration of defendant's unresolved appellate claims.