The State of Washington, Respondent v. Sherrie Lynn Allery, Appellant

Summary

The court reversed the defendant's second-degree murder conviction and remanded for a new trial because the self-defense instructions did not adequately require the jury to evaluate the defendant's perceptions in light of all circumstances known to her, including her prior experiences with the victim. The court also held that qualified expert testimony about the battered woman syndrome was admissible to assist the jury in evaluating the defendant's fear and behavior. It further found error in refusing a no-duty-to-retreat instruction and in admitting highly prejudicial evidence from an earlier child-custody proceeding.