They could also be ‘compromising’ between Murder 2 and manslaughter....
Very possible.
I visualize myself on a jury and either it was a good shoot or it wasn’t.
It’s that simple.
If I were the foreman of the jury I would ask each person “are you convinced beyond all reasonable doubt that he was NOT acting in self defense?”
Any answer to the effect of “I’m just not sure ...” means a verdict of NG.
I’m a defense attorney and that is my analysis.
This is not a complex case.
And no way I would even consider convicting for some lane ass lesser charge if it was self defense.
This case is getting flipped on appeal if he gets convicted in my opinion.
It won't make much difference from a sentencing perspective. A manslaughter conviction (with a firearm) is a first degree felony and could garner 30 years with a 9 year + minimum - so it could essentially be a life sentence.