Johnson v. United States

How later courts describe this case

• "Once it is conceded ... that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of self-defense, it follows that the issue was for the jury and not for us."
• “[A] person is justified in the use of force when and to the extent that [s]he reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend [her]self against the imminent use of unlawful force.”
• district court properly refused to permit wife to give reasons for husband’s depression
• counsel has affirmative obligation to make the district court aware of any of its errors in its decision to reject a requested jury instruction and counsel cannot rely on court’s own examination amidst the diverse pressures during closing stages of trial