People v. Pouncey

Ollie Pouncey (defendant) got into a verbal argument with Steven Powers over an accusation of a stolen car; after Powers insulted and threatened him with no physical contact, Pouncey went inside, retrieved a shotgun, came back out, and shot Powers dead. At trial Pouncey testified he was not angry or out of control when he fired. The trial court refused to instruct on voluntary manslaughter, and the jury convicted Pouncey of second-degree murder. The court of appeals reversed, finding the refusal erroneous, and the Michigan Supreme Court granted review.