Mississippi Model Jury Instructions- Criminal
CHAPTER 5 DEFENSES

510 Self-Defense – Imperfect Self-Defense

If the defendant killed another person with an actual, genuine belief that the killing was necessary in order to protect [himself/herself] from great bodily harm or death, even though that belief was not reasonable under the circumstances, then the defendant did not have the mental requirement to commit murder. However, the killing may be manslaughter.

If you find from the evidence in this case that:

1. On or about [date of alleged crime] in County;

2. [Name of defendant] [describe defendant’s alleged actions] [name of victim] acting with an actual, genuine belief that the killing was necessary in order to protect [himself/herself] from great bodily harm or death; but

3. That belief was not reasonable under the circumstances, then you may find [name of defendant] guilty of the lesser-included offense of [specify lesser included offense].

 

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