Woodard v. Turnipseed

Turnipseed (defendant) fired Woodard, a minor employee, after catching him repeating a work error; Woodard allegedly made vague threats when previously fired, but made no move toward Turnipseed when, unable to reach his father for a ride, he waited quietly in the farm's parking lot afterward. Turnipseed told him to leave, and when Woodard didn't move, struck him three times with a broom, causing serious injuries — then returned to supervising the milking without checking whether Woodard actually left. At trial, Turnipseed claimed self- defense and defense of property; the jury found for him, and the trial court denied Woodard's post-trial motions.

Whether a defendant claiming self-defense or defense of property to a charge of assault or battery must show that: (1) he used reasonable force not intended to cause death or serious bodily harm, (2) to thwart an unprivileged harmful or offensive contact or other bodily harm, (3) he believed was about to be imminently inflicted upon him.