State v. Beeley

John Perry and Robert Harding were fighting inside Perry's house when James Beeley (defendant) stepped in on Perry's side and punched Harding. At trial the evidence was disputed over whether Perry had actually been acting in self-defense or had instead attacked Harding without provocation. Beeley testified he punched Harding because he believed Perry was defending himself against an attacker. The trial judge instructed the jury that Beeley was justified only if Perry, in fact, had been defending himself -- regardless of what Beeley himself believed at the time. The jury convicted Beeley of assault, and he appealed.