State of Missouri, Respondent v. Andrew Barnett, Appellant.

Summary

The Court held that a defendant is entitled to a self-defense instruction when substantial evidence supports the defense, even if the defendant's own testimony contradicts it or the defendant denies committing the charged act. Because the evidence, viewed favorably to Barnett, supported that he was not the initial aggressor and reasonably believed deadly force was necessary, the circuit court erred by refusing the instruction. The judgment was vacated and the case remanded for further proceedings.