People v. Curtis

52 Mich. 616, 18 N.W. 385 (1884)

Facts

Curtis (D) came to the aid of his brother because he reasonably believed that another was threatening him. D's brother was at fault in starting the trouble, but D did not know this. D killed the attacker. D was charged with second-degree murder. The trial judge charged the jury that D could only intervene against an attacker when the person attacked was entirely blameless. D was convicted and appealed.