State of Louisiana v. Damion Daron Sherfield

Summary

The Louisiana Court of Appeal, Second Circuit, affirmed Damion Daron Sherfield’s conviction for second degree murder. The court held that the evidence was sufficient for a rational jury to reject Sherfield’s claims of sudden passion, heat of blood, and self-defense and to find him guilty rather than return a manslaughter verdict. The court concluded that the victim’s words, gestures, and concealed firearm did not establish provocation sufficient to deprive an ordinary person of self-control.

Holdings

1. The evidence was sufficient for a rational jury to find Sherfield guilty of second degree murder rather than manslaughter because the evidence did not establish by a preponderance that sudden passion or heat of blood deprived an average person of self-control or cool reflection.
2. The evidence was sufficient for a rational jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that the homicide was not committed in self-defense.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the evidence was sufficient for a rational jury to find Sherfield guilty of second degree murder rather than manslaughter based on sudden passion or heat of blood.
2. Whether the evidence was sufficient for a rational jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that the homicide was not committed in self-defense.

Disposition

affirmed