Man gets new trial in N. Arizona self-defense murder case (Harold Fish)

[Hazcat]

PHOENIX -- A state appeals court has ordered a new trial for a man convicted of murder in the shooting death of a man he encountered while hiking in northern Arizona in 2004.
 
Harold Fish has said he shot the victim in self-defense, but a jury convicted him of murder. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
 
Fish maintained that two dogs belong to Grant Kuenzli ran at him and he fired a warning shot to keep them away. He said Kuenzli then rushed at him and he shot him.
   
In a 3-0 ruling issued on Tuesday, the court said the trial judge may have erred in barring evidence of the victim's prior acts of violence related to dogs.
 
State law at the time of the killing placed the burden on the defendant to prove he acted in self-defense, but the legislature later changed that.

http://www.abc15.com/content/news/northernarizona/other/story/Man-gets-new-trial-in-N-Arizona-self-defense/GF7Cz4H0NUKhevXxvyDpnQ.cspx

comments at site

[CDR]

Thanks Haz...that's wonderful news.  I've always felt terrible for this poor man.  Let's hope for the best and this is certainly a start.

[Kid Shelleen]

I remember hearing about Harold Fish and I thought he got a raw deal.

Glad to hear that he's getting a retrial.

Thanks for the update Haz.

[GUNS-R-US]

Lets HOPE and PRAY that the Justice system in Arizona works this time!! And this is a good reason to join the Armed Citizen Legal Defense Network incase anything like this happens you! You don't want your own Lawyers Ignorance to screw you up!! http://www.armedcitizensnetwork.org/

[cooptire]

That is truly good news and I am really, really happy for him. It looks like he won't be retried and therefore is going to be a free man. I have made a donation to his legal fund in the past and may make a small one again to help with the enormous costs he has accrued.

[Sponsor]

[kmitch200]

Harold Fish released today and back with his family!!

[twyacht]

State law at the time of the killing placed the burden on the defendant to prove he acted in self-defense, but the legislature later changed that.

Defendants don't have to prove anything. I guess if you were in AZ. the Innocent till PROVEN guilty little thing was just a technicality.

Glad he's out and I hope he let's the town eat his dust on the way out or it.

[tombogan03884]

State law at the time of the killing placed the burden on the defendant to prove he acted in self-defense, but the legislature later changed that.

Defendants don't have to prove anything. I guess if you were in AZ. the Innocent till PROVEN guilty little thing was just a technicality.

Glad he's out and I hope he let's the town eat his dust on the way out or it.

  Not me. I'm glad he's out, but I hope he sues them out of their skivvies.