State of Maine v. Joseph Glassman

Summary

The court held that pointing a loaded gun in a threatening manner, without firing it, constitutes nondeadly rather than deadly force under the applicable statutory definitions. Because the evidence, viewed favorably to Glassman, could support a finding that he pointed the gun to defend against an imminent use of unlawful nondeadly force, the trial court was required to instruct the jury on self-defense. The judgment was vacated and the case remanded.